U.S. patent number 11,449,724 [Application Number 17/493,026] was granted by the patent office on 2022-09-20 for system and method for quality management utilizing barcode indicators.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Varcode Ltd.. The grantee listed for this patent is Varcode Ltd.. Invention is credited to Ephraim Brand, Yaron Nemet, Ahmed M. Tafesh.
United States Patent |
11,449,724 |
Nemet , et al. |
September 20, 2022 |
System and method for quality management utilizing barcode
indicators
Abstract
A quality management system for products including a
multiplicity of barcoded quality indicators, a barcode indicator
reader and a product type responsive indication interpreter, each
of the barcoded quality indicators including a first barcode
including at least one first colorable area, the first barcode
being machine-readable before exceedance of the at least one time
and temperature threshold, at least a second barcode including at
least one second colorable area, the second barcode not being
machine-readable before exceedance of the at least one time and
temperature threshold, a coloring agent located at a first location
on the indicator and a coloring agent pathway operative to allow
the coloring agent to move, from the first location to the first
and second colorable areas simultaneously thereby causing the first
barcode to become unreadable and at the same time causing the
second barcode to become machine-readable.
Inventors: |
Nemet; Yaron (Kedumim,
IL), Brand; Ephraim (Givataim, IL), Tafesh;
Ahmed M. (Acre, IL) |
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Varcode Ltd. |
Rosh Ha'ayin |
N/A |
IL |
|
|
Assignee: |
Varcode Ltd. (RoshHa'ayin,
IL)
|
Family
ID: |
1000006571583 |
Appl.
No.: |
17/493,026 |
Filed: |
October 4, 2021 |
Prior Publication Data
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Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
|
US 20220092373 A1 |
Mar 24, 2022 |
|
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
|
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17000078 |
Aug 21, 2020 |
11238323 |
|
|
|
16409209 |
Sep 15, 2020 |
10776680 |
|
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|
15978759 |
May 28, 2019 |
10303992 |
|
|
|
15486906 |
Jun 12, 2018 |
9996783 |
|
|
|
15183465 |
Apr 18, 2017 |
9626610 |
|
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|
14595954 |
Jul 19, 2016 |
9396423 |
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13323906 |
Feb 24, 2015 |
8960534 |
|
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12469309 |
Jan 10, 2012 |
8091776 |
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PCT/IL2008/001494 |
Nov 13, 2008 |
|
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PCT/IL2008/001495 |
Nov 13, 2008 |
|
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61131644 |
Jun 10, 2008 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06K
19/06028 (20130101); G06K 19/06046 (20130101); G01D
7/005 (20130101); G06K 19/0614 (20130101); G06K
7/1417 (20130101); G06K 19/06037 (20130101); G01D
7/00 (20130101); G06Q 30/06 (20130101); G06Q
10/087 (20130101); G01K 11/14 (20130101); G01K
3/10 (20130101); G06K 19/0615 (20130101); G06K
7/1413 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
G06K
19/06 (20060101); G01D 7/00 (20060101); G06Q
30/06 (20120101); G01K 3/10 (20060101); G01K
11/14 (20060101); G06Q 10/08 (20120101); G06K
7/14 (20060101) |
Field of
Search: |
;235/383 |
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|
Primary Examiner: Hess; Daniel A
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Fish & Richardson P.C.
Parent Case Text
REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
Reference is made to PCT Patent Application No. PCT/IL07/000547,
filed May 6, 2007 and entitled "A System And Method For Improved
Quality Management In A Product Logistic Chain", to PCT Patent
Application No. PCT/IL07/01411, filed Nov. 14, 2007 and entitled "A
System And Method For Quality Management Utilizing Barcode
Indicators", to PCT Patent Application No. PCT/IL2008/001495, filed
Nov. 13, 2008 and entitled "A System And Method For Quality
Management Utilizing Barcode Indicators", to PCT Patent Application
No. PCT/IL2008/001494, filed Nov. 13, 2008 and entitled "A System
And Method For Quality Management Utilizing Barcode Indicators" and
to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/131,644, filed Jun. 10, 2008
and entitled "A System And Method For Quality Management Utilizing
Barcode Indicators", the disclosures of which are hereby
incorporated by reference.
This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser.
No. 17/000,078, filed Aug. 21, 2020, entitled "System And Method
For Quality Management Utilizing Barcode Indicators", which is a
continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/409,209, filed
May 10, 2019, entitled "System And Method For Quality Management
Utilizing Barcode Indicators", now U.S. Pat. No. 10,776,680, which
is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/978,759,
filed May 14, 2018, entitled "System And Method For Quality
Management Utilizing Barcode Indicators", now U.S. Pat. No.
10,303,992, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser.
No. 15/486,906, filed Apr. 13, 2017, entitled "System And Method
For Quality Management Utilizing Barcode Indicators", now U.S. Pat.
No. 9,996,783, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application
Ser. No. 15/183,465, filed Jun. 15, 2016, entitled "System And
Method For Quality Management Utilizing Barcode Indicators", now
U.S. Pat. No. 9,626,610, which is a continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 14/595,954, filed Jan. 13, 2015, entitled
"System And Method For Quality Management Utilizing Barcode
Indicators", now U.S. Pat. No. 9,396,423, which is a continuation
of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/323,906, filed Dec. 13,
2011, entitled "System And Method For Quality Management Utilizing
Barcode Indicators", now U.S. Pat. No. 8,960,534, which is a
continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/469,309, filed
May 20, 2009, entitled "System And Method For Quality Management
Utilizing Barcode Indicators", now U.S. Pat. No. 8,091,776, which
claims priority from PCT Patent Application No. PCT/IL2008/001495,
filed Nov. 13, 2008 and entitled "A System And Method For Quality
Management Utilizing Barcode Indicators" and PCT Patent Application
No. PCT/IL2008/001494, filed Nov. 13, 2008 and entitled "A System
And Method For Quality Management Utilizing Barcode Indicators",
and from U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/131,644, filed Jun.
10, 2008 and entitled "A System And Method For Quality Management
Utilizing Barcode Indicators", the disclosures of which are hereby
incorporated by reference.
Claims
The invention claimed is:
1. A barcoded quality indicator comprising: at least one barcode,
operative, following actuation of said barcoded quality indicator,
to provide a first machine-readable indication prior to exceedance
of at least one threshold and a second machine-readable indication
following exceedance of said at least one threshold; and a pull
strip, where removal of said pull strip actuates said
indicator.
2. A barcoded quality indicator according to claim 1 and wherein
said at least one barcode comprises: at least one first barcode
providing said first machine-readable indication prior to
exceedance of said at least one threshold; and at least one second
barcode providing said second machine-readable indication following
exceedance of said at least one threshold.
3. A barcoded quality indicator according to claim 2 and wherein
said at least one second barcode is not machine-readable prior to
exceedance of said at least one threshold.
4. A barcoded quality indicator according to claim 2 and wherein
said at least one first barcode is not machine-readable following
exceedance of said at least one threshold.
5. A barcoded quality indicator according to claim 2 and wherein
said at least one first barcode is machine-readable prior to
actuation of said barcoded quality indicator.
6. A barcoded quality indicator according to claim 2 and wherein
said at least one first barcode includes a first barcode having a
first machine-readable state prior to actuation of said barcoded
quality indicator and a second barcode having a second
machine-readable state following actuation of said barcoded quality
indicator, said first machine-readable state being different from
said second machine-readable state.
7. A quality management system for products comprising: a
multiplicity of barcoded quality indicators each operative to
provide a machine-readable indication of exceedance of at least one
threshold, each of said indicators comprising: at least one
barcode, operative, following actuation of said barcoded quality
indicator, to provide a first machine-readable indication prior to
exceedance of at least one threshold and a second machine-readable
indication following exceedance of said at least one threshold; and
a pull strip, where removal of said pull strip actuates said
indicator; a barcode indicator reader operative to read said
barcoded quality indicators and to provide output indications; and
a product type responsive indication interpreter operative to
receive said output indications and to provide human sensible,
product quality status outputs.
8. A quality management system according to claim 7 and wherein
said at least one barcode comprises: at least one first barcode
providing said first machine-readable indication prior to
exceedance of said at least one threshold; and at least one second
barcode providing said second machine-readable indication following
exceedance of said at least one threshold.
9. A quality management system for products according to claim 8
and wherein said at least one second barcode is not
machine-readable prior to exceedance of said at least one
threshold.
10. A quality management system for products according to claim 8
and wherein said at least one first barcode is not machine-readable
following exceedance of said at least one threshold.
11. A quality management system for products according to claim 8
and wherein said at least one first barcode is machine-readable
prior to actuation of said barcoded quality indicator.
12. A quality management system for products according to claim 8
and wherein said at least one first barcode includes at least a
first machine-readable state prior to actuation of said barcoded
quality indicator and a second machine-readable state following
actuation of said barcoded quality indicator, said first
machine-readable state being different from said second
machine-readable state.
13. A method for providing quality management for products
comprising: employing a multiplicity of barcoded quality indicators
each operative to provide a machine-readable indication of
exceedance of at least one threshold, each of said indicators
comprising: at least one barcode, operative, following actuation of
said barcoded quality indicator, to provide a first
machine-readable indication prior to exceedance of at least one
threshold and a second machine-readable indication following
exceedance of said at least one threshold; and a pull strip, where
removal of said pull strip actuates said indicator; actuating said
barcoded quality indicators by removing said pull strip; reading
said barcoded quality indicators to provide output indications;
receiving said output indications; and interpreting said output
indications to provide human sensible, product quality status
outputs.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to quality management systems and
methodologies and to indicators useful in such systems and
methodologies.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The following U.S. Patents relate generally to the subject matter
of the present application: U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,758,397, 6,009,400,
6,685,094, 7,157,048, 7,156,597 and RE 39,226.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention seeks to provide improved quality management
systems and methodologies as well as indicators useful in such
systems and methodologies.
There is thus provided in accordance with a preferred embodiment of
the present invention a quality management system for products
including a multiplicity of barcoded quality indicators each
operative to provide a machine-readable indication of exceedance of
at least one time and temperature threshold, a barcode indicator
reader operative to read the barcoded quality indicators and to
provide output indications and a product type responsive indication
interpreter operative to receive the output indications and to
provide human sensible, product quality status outputs, each of the
barcoded quality indicators being operative to provide a single
machine-readable barcode readable by the barcode indicator reader,
generally at all times including times prior to, during and
immediately following exceedance of the at least one time and
temperature threshold. Each of the barcoded quality, indicators
includes a first barcode including at least one first colorable
area, the first barcode being machine-readable before exceedance of
the at least one time and temperature threshold, at least a second
barcode including at least one second colorable area, the second
barcode not being machine-readable before exceedance of the at
least one time and temperature threshold, a coloring agent located
at a first location on the indicator and a coloring agent pathway
operative to allow the coloring agent to move, at a rate which is
at least partially a function of time, from the first location to
the first and second colorable areas simultaneously for
simultaneous coloring thereof upon exceedance of the time and
temperature threshold, thereby causing the first barcode to become
unreadable and at the same time causing the second barcode to
become machine-readable.
Preferably, the barcoded quality indicators include linear
barcodes. Additionally or alternatively, the first barcode and the
at least second barcode are each operative to indicate a numerical
or alphanumerical sequence.
Preferably, the first barcode complies with a first barcode
standard and the at least second barcode complies with a barcode
standard different from the first barcode standard.
Preferably, each of the multiplicity of barcoded quality indicators
provides a first machine-readable indication prior to the
exceedance of the at least one time and temperature threshold and a
second machine-readable indication, different from the first
machine-readable indication, following the exceedance of the at
least one time and temperature threshold.
Preferably, at least one of the quality indicators is operative to
provide a machine-readable indication of exceedance of a time
period of less than ten minutes. Additionally or alternatively, at
least one of the quality indicators is operative to provide
indications of exceedance of several different thresholds.
Preferably, at least one of the quality indicators is operative to
provide the machine-readable indication only following actuation
thereof. Additionally, prior to the actuation at least one of the
quality indicator is in a first visible state and following the
actuation at least one of the quality indicator is in a second
visible state, different from the first visible state, and at least
one of the quality indicator is machine-readable at least in the
second visible state. Additionally, at least one of the indicators
is not machine-readable when the indicator is in the first visible
state. Alternatively, at least one of the indicators is
machine-readable when the indicator is in the first visible
state.
Preferably, at least one of the quality indicators is operative to
provide the machine-readable indication only upon activation
thereof which occurs automatically a predetermined time following
manufacture or actuation thereof.
There is also provided in accordance with another preferred
embodiment of the present invention a barcoded quality indicator
operative to provide a machine-readable indication of exceedance of
at least one time and temperature threshold including a first
barcode including at least one first colorable area, the first
barcode being machine-readable before exceedance of the at least
one time and temperature threshold, at least a second barcode
including at least one second colorable area, the second barcode
not being machine-readable before exceedance of the at least one
time and temperature threshold, a coloring agent located at a first
location on the indicator and a coloring agent pathway operative to
allow the coloring agent to move, at a rate which is at least
partially a function of time, from the first location to the first
and second colorable areas simultaneously for simultaneous coloring
thereof upon exceedance of the time and temperature threshold,
thereby causing the first barcode to become unreadable and at the
same time causing the second barcode to become
machine-readable.
Preferably, the coloring agent pathway is operative to allow the
coloring agent to move by diffusing from the first location to the
first and the second colorable areas. Preferably, the first
location is intermediate the ends of the first and the second
barcodes. Additionally or alternatively, generally at any time
prior to, during and immediately following exceedance of the time
and temperature threshold only one of the barcodes is readable.
Preferably, the quality indicator further includes a pull strip,
the pull strip being suitable to prevent the passage of solvents
and coloring agents therethrough before removal thereof, and
wherein removal of the pull strip actuates the indicator.
Additionally or alternatively, the quality indicator further
includes an activation delay layer dissolvable by a solvent, the
activation delay layer being suitable to prevent the passage of
coloring agents and solvents therethrough before dissolution
thereof and wherein the indicators are not activated until
dissolution of the delay layer.
There is additionally provided in accordance with yet another
preferred embodiment of the present invention a method for
providing quality management for products including employing a
multiplicity of barcoded quality indicators each operative to
provide a machine-readable indication of exceedance of at least one
time and temperature threshold, each of the barcoded quality
indicators being operative to provide a single machine-readable
barcode, generally at all times including times prior to, during
and immediately following exceedance of the at least one time and
temperature threshold, reading the barcoded quality indicators to
provide output indications, receiving the output indications and
interpreting the output indications to provide human sensible,
product quality status outputs. Each of the barcoded quality
indicators includes a first barcode including at least one first
colorable area, the first barcode being machine-readable before
exceedance of the at least one time and temperature threshold, at
least a second barcode including at least one second colorable
area, the second barcode not being machine-readable before
exceedance of the at least one time and temperature threshold, a
coloring agent located at a first location on the indicator and a
coloring agent pathway operative to allow the coloring agent to
move, at a rate which is at least partially a function of time,
from the first location to the first and second colorable areas
simultaneously for simultaneous coloring thereof upon exceedance of
the time and temperature threshold, thereby causing the first
barcode to become unreadable and at the same time causing the
second barcode to become machine-readable.
There is also provided in accordance with an additional preferred
embodiment of the present invention a quality management system for
products including a multiplicity of barcoded quality indicators
each operative to provide a machine-readable indication of
exceedance of at least one threshold by one or more product quality
affecting parameters, a barcode indicator reader operative to read
the barcoded quality indicators and to provide output indications
and a product type responsive indication interpreter operative to
receive the output indications and to provide human sensible,
product quality status outputs, each of the barcoded quality
indicators being operative to provide a single machine-readable
barcode readable by the barcode indicator reader, generally at all
times including times prior to, during and immediately following
exceedance of the at least one threshold. Each of the barcoded
quality indicators includes a first barcode including at least one
first colorable area, the first barcode being machine-readable
before exceedance of the at least one threshold, at least a second
barcode including at least one second colorable area, the second
barcode not being machine-readable before exceedance of the at
least one threshold, a coloring agent located at a first location
on the indicator and a coloring agent pathway operative to allow
the coloring agent to move, at a rate which is at least partially a
function of time, from the first location to the first and second
colorable areas simultaneously for simultaneous coloring thereof
upon exceedance of the threshold, thereby causing the first barcode
to become unreadable and at the same time causing the second
barcode to become machine-readable.
Preferably, one of the one or more product quality affecting
parameters is time. Additionally or alternatively, one of the one
or more product quality affecting parameters is temperature.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The present invention will be understood and appreciated more fully
from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with
the drawings in which:
FIGS. 1A-1C together are a simplified illustration of a system and
methodology for quality management constructed and operative in
accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present
invention;
FIGS. 2A-2C together are a simplified illustration of a system and
methodology for quality management constructed and operative in
accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present
invention;
FIG. 3A is a simplified illustration of a quality indicator
constructed and operative in accordance with a preferred embodiment
of the present invention for indicating elapsed time in temperature
history;
FIG. 3B is a simplified illustration of a quality indicator
constructed and operative in accordance with another preferred
embodiment of the present invention for indicating elapsed time in
temperature history with delayed activation;
FIG. 3C is a simplified illustration of a quality indicator
constructed and operative in accordance with another preferred
embodiment of the present invention for indicating elapsed time in
temperature history;
FIG. 3D is a simplified illustration of a quality indicator
constructed and operative in accordance with another preferred
embodiment of the present invention for indicating elapsed time in
temperature history with delayed activation;
FIGS. 4A-4E together are a simplified illustration of the structure
and operation of an example of the quality indicator of FIG. 3A, in
accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present
invention;
FIGS. 5A-5F together are a simplified illustration of the structure
and operation of an example of the quality indicator of FIG. 3B, in
accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present
invention;
FIGS. 6A-6F together are a simplified illustration of the structure
and operation of an example of the quality indicator of FIG. 3C, in
accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present
invention;
FIGS. 7A-7G together are a simplified illustration of the structure
and operation of an example of the quality indicator of FIG. 3D, in
accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;
and
FIG. 8 is a simplified illustration of the structure and operation
of a quality management system constructed and operative in
accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention in
the context of a supermarket.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Reference is now made to FIGS. 1A-1C which together are a
simplified illustration of a system and methodology for quality
management constructed and operative in accordance with a preferred
embodiment of the present invention. As seen in FIGS. 1A-1C, there
is shown a quality management system and methodology for products
including a multiplicity of quality indicators, here shown in the
form of changeable barcode indicators, each operative to provide a
machine-readable, preferably barcode-reader-readable, indication of
exceedance of at least one threshold by at least one product
quality affecting parameter, at least one indicator reader
operative to read the quality indicators and to provide output
indications and a product type responsive indication interpreter
operative to receive the output indications and to provide human
sensible, product quality status outputs.
Preferably, as elaborated hereinbelow with reference to FIG. 8, in
addition to receiving the output indications provided by the
indicator reader the indication interpreter may also receive
product-related parameters such as product type, for example
"meat", and product manufacturing date. Additionally or
alternatively, the indication interpreter may receive other
parameters, for example information relating to the quality
indicator, such as the range of parameters sensed by the quality
indicator, when the quality indicator was actuated, and whether the
quality indicator includes a delayed activation feature.
Additionally or alternatively, the indication interpreter may also
received parameters relating to the source of the output
indications provided, for example, whether the output indications
were provided by a hand held device during inspection, or by the
checkout scanner of a retail store.
The product-related parameters and the other parameters, such as
those relating to the quality indicator may be provided by the
quality indicator itself or by an additional, separate indicator,
such as a barcode-bearing indicator. As a further alternative,
these parameters may be provided by sensors, a priori information
otherwise available to the indication interpreter or by manual
entry.
The indication interpreter preferably forms part of or is otherwise
connected to a quality indication computer, which may be remote
from the indicator reader and which preferably includes a decision
table providing product quality status outputs based on the output
indications provided by the indicator reader and the additional
parameters.
It is appreciated that the additional parameters may be provided
via another part of the same indicator or by another barcoded
indicator associated with the same product. Alternatively, the
additional parameters may be provided by other methods, such as
using RFID technology.
The term "barcode" is used herein to refer to a machine-readable
optical code. In the examples in the specification, linear, or
one-dimensional barcodes are illustrated. It is appreciated that
the invention may be applicable to two dimensional barcodes as
well.
Each barcode standard includes rules which govern the proper
reading of the barcode. A typical barcode includes start indicia
representing the start of the barcode, stop indicia representing
the end of the barcode and digital indicia representing digits
positioned therebetween. Each digit of the barcode is indicated by
a series of bars and spaces each having a predetermined width. For
example, in the 2 of 5 Interleaved barcode standard, each digit is
indicated by two wide bars and three narrow bars. The UPC and the
EAN128 barcode standards include middle indicia with different
rules for indicating digits on either side of the middle indicia.
Additionally, some barcode standards employ a checksum digit, which
is calculated according to a mathematical formula based on the
barcode symbol digits and is used as a control for the validity of
the barcode.
Accordingly, a machine-readable barcode can be rendered unreadable
in several different ways. For example, the series of bars forming
the start or the stop indicia can be changed by adding or deleting
bars or spaces, or by changing the width thereof. Such a change can
cause the barcode reader not to recognize the start or the end of
the barcode symbol resulting in the barcode not being readable.
Another possibility is adding or deleting bars or spaces of the
digital indicia or changing the width thereof so that a series of
bars and spaces indicating a digit no longer indicates a digit
according to the standard employed. Yet another possibility is
making the above changes to a series of bars and spaces indicating
a digit such that a different digit is indicated after the change
and calculating the checksum digit including the changed digit
results in a checksum digit different from the checksum digit
indicated in the barcode, thereby causing the barcode to become
invalid. A similar change causing invalidity of the barcode can
also be made to the bars indicating the checksum digit itself.
Similarly, an unreadable barcode can be rendered machine-readable
by adding or deleting bars or spaces or changing the width thereof.
For example, bars forming the start or the stop indicia in a
barcode where the start or the end are not properly indicated can
be changed as explained above in order to properly form start or
stop indicia. Similarly, an unreadable series of bars can be made
to indicate a digit by adding or deleting bars or spaces or
changing the width thereof. For example, according to the 2 or 5
Interleaved barcode standard, each digit is indicated by two wide
bars and three narrow bars. If, for example, a readable barcode was
rendered unreadable by changing a narrow bar into a wide bar, then
changing a wide bar into a narrow bar can render the barcode
readable. Similarly, if a barcode is unreadable because the
checksum digit does not match the other barcode digits, then the
bars indicating one of the digits or the checksum digit can be
changed as explained above to restore barcode validity.
The quality indicator may incorporate a product code such as an EAN
(European Article Number) or a UPC code (Universal Product Code).
The examples shown in the description which follows all illustrate
the use of an EAN code. Alternatively, the quality indicator may
incorporate a 2 of 5 interleaved barcode or any other suitable
barcode or machine-readable methodology. It is appreciated that
bars of one dimensional barcodes correspond to cells in Data Matrix
two dimensional barcodes and instead of the "start" and "stop"
indicia of one dimensional barcodes, two adjacent borders defining
a "finder pattern" are used in the Data Matrix two dimensional
barcodes to locate and orient the symbol.
According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the
quality indicator includes barcodes complying with GS1 (General
Specifications) standards, which are outlined at www.gs1.org.
According to GS1 standards, the three left-most digits are usually
assigned to a country. In Israel, the seven, nine or ten left-most
digits, including the country code, represent the supplier's code
and the remaining right-most digits are used by each supplier. For
example, as seen in the illustrated embodiments of the present
application, the three left-most digits are 729, the GS1 country
code assigned to Israel. The ten left-most digits, including the
country code, represent a supplier's code and the three right-most
digits are changeable by the supplier and combinations thereof are
used in this application for indicating exceedance of
thresholds.
It is appreciated that the ten left-most digits including the
country code, which are generally assigned to a supplier, may be
dedicated to indicating unsaleable goods, regardless of the event
which lead to the goods becoming unsaleable.
According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the
quality indicator is operative to provide a machine-readable
indication of exceedance of at least one threshold by at least one
product quality affecting parameter. Preferably, one of the product
quality affecting parameters is time and the quality indicator is
operative to provide a machine-readable indication of the
exceedance of a very short time period, for example ten minutes. In
a preferred embodiment illustrated in the description and drawings
of this application, the quality indicator is operative to provide
an indication of exceedance only following actuation thereof.
Alternatively, the quality indicator may be operative to provide an
indication of exceedance without actuation.
According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the
quality indicator has a visible pre-actuation state, a different
visible post-actuation state and at least one visible state
indicating exceedance of a corresponding one of at least one
threshold. The various states are preferably all machine-readable
by a conventional barcode reader.
According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention the
quality indicator is machine-readable generally at all times and
presents one and only one machine-readable barcode generally at any
given time. The term "generally" means at all times possibly except
for very short time periods, such as time periods of less than five
minutes, which may occur during exceedance of a threshold. During
these short time periods the quality indicator may present more or
less than one machine-readable barcode. Alternatively, one or more
of the visible states of the quality indicator may not be
machine-readable by a conventional barcode reader and the fact that
they cannot be read provides status information. For example,
various situations in which a product is not to be sold or used may
be indicated as non-readable states of the quality indicator.
Alternatively, the quality indicator may only become readable
following actuation thereof. According to another embodiment of the
present invention the quality indicator includes visible states
wherein the indicator presents more than one machine-readable
barcode at the same time.
In a preferred embodiment of the present invention the quality
indicator includes at least two different barcodes preferably
arranged in a stacked arrangement, each barcode having at least two
visible states. Preferably, at any given time the visible state of
only one of the barcodes forming part of an indicator is
machine-readable and therefore the indicator presents a single
machine-readable barcode at any given time. Alternatively, in one
or more states of the indicator all of the barcodes forming part
thereof may be in visible states which are not machine-readable.
The quality indicator does not present a machine-readable barcode
at these one or more states and the fact that the indicator cannot
be read provides status information as detailed above.
Preferably, the barcodes forming part of an indicator are aligned
such that the axes thereof are generally parallel to each other.
According to a preferred embodiment illustrated in the description
and drawings of this application, the bars of one barcode do not
lie in registration with the corresponding bars of another barcode
but rather are slightly offset with respect to each other.
Alternatively, the bars of one barcode lie in registration with the
corresponding bars of another barcode.
According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, each
of the barcodes forming part of a quality indicator includes a
variable barcode having at least one colorable area. Preferably, at
least one of the colorable areas in each barcode is operative to
become colored or uncolored at the same time as a colorable area of
at least one other barcode forming part of the same indicator,
thereby causing at least two barcodes to simultaneously change.
Preferably, the colorable areas have the same width as a single
barcode bar. Alternatively, at least one colorable area has a width
different from that of a single barcode bar.
For the purposes of the present specification and claims, colorable
areas which are operative to become colored or uncolored at the
same time are together referred to as a colorable common area.
According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention a
colorable common area which forms part of a first barcode and a
second barcode is initially uncolored. The first barcode is
machine-readable in its first visible state and the second barcode
is not machine-readable in its first visible state. Upon actuation
or upon exceedance of a threshold the colorable common area becomes
colored thereby, at the same time causing the machine-readable
first barcode to assume a second visible state which is not
machine-readable and the unreadable second barcode to assume a
second visible state which is machine-readable. Preferably, the
second barcode in the machine-readable second visible state is
different from the first barcode in the machine-readable first
visible state. Accordingly, the indicator presents a first
machine-readable barcode prior to actuation or exceedance of the
threshold and a second machine-readable barcode, which is
preferably different from the first machine-readable barcode,
following actuation or exceedance of a threshold.
To further elaborate on the preferred embodiment described above, a
quality indicator operative for indicating the exceedance of two
thresholds without actuation may include, for example, three
barcodes, I, II and III. Barcode I is machine-readable in its first
visible state and barcodes II and III are not machine-readable in
their first visible states. A first colorable common area useful
for indicating the exceedance of a first threshold forms part of
barcodes I and II. A second colorable common area useful for
indicating the exceedance of a second threshold, which can occur
only following exceedance of the first threshold, forms part of
barcodes II and III. Before exceedance of a threshold the quality
indicator presents a single machine-readable barcode, barcode
I.
Upon exceedance of the first threshold the first colorable common
area becomes colored thereby, at the same time causing the
machine-readable barcode I to assume a second visible state which
is not machine-readable and the unreadable barcode II to assume a
second visible state which is machine-readable and different from
the machine-readable first visible state of barcode I. At this
point the quality indicator presents a single machine-readable
barcode, barcode II.
Upon exceedance of the second threshold the second colorable common
area becomes colored thereby, at the same time causing the
machine-readable barcode II in the second visible state to assume a
third visible state which is not machine-readable and the
unreadable barcode III to assume a second visible state which is
machine-readable and different from the machine-readable first
visible state of barcode I and the machine-readable second visible
state of barcode II. At this point the quality indicator presents a
single machine-readable barcode, barcode III. Thus, at any time
prior to, during and following exceedance of each threshold the
indicator presents one machine-readable barcode.
The quality indicator may be rendered operative for indicating the
exceedance of additional thresholds by including additional
barcodes and additional colorable common areas in accordance with
the above description.
It is appreciated that instead of using a separate barcode for
indicating different events, one or more barcodes may each be used
for indicating multiple events. For example, if the addition of a
first barcode bar causes a barcode in a first machine-readable
state to assume an unreadable state and the addition of a second
barcode bar causes the same barcode in the unreadable state to
assume a second machine-readable state then the first
machine-readable state may be used for indicating one event and the
second machine-readable state may be used for indicating a
different event.
It is also appreciated that in order to provide indication of
exceedance of unrelated thresholds which could occur at any order,
the indicator may include a set of barcodes with colorable common
areas, as described above, for each such threshold. The indicator
in this case may present a machine-readable barcode for each
threshold indicating the status thereof and therefore the indicator
may present multiple machine-readable barcodes at a certain point
in time.
According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention
barcodes forming part of a quality indicator are each capable of
indicating any numerical or alphanumerical sequence. Additionally
or alternatively, barcodes forming part of a quality indicator are
each capable of complying with any suitable barcode standard,
including but not limited to EAN, UPC, 2 of 5 Interleaved, code39,
code 39 extended, code 93, code 93 extended, code 128, code 128 A,
B and C, ISBN, Code bar and Data Matrix. Accordingly, different
barcodes forming part of the same quality indicator can comply with
different barcode standards. For example, a quality indicator can
include a first barcode complying with the EAN13 standard and a
second barcode complying with the 2 of 5 Interleaved standard.
Consequently, if the barcode reader of a checkout scanner is
operative to read only the EAN13 barcode standard, then, once the
first barcode becomes unreadable, the indicator no longer presents
a readable barcode to the checkout scanner. However, the indicator
is still readable by a barcode reader operative to read the 2 of 5
Interleaved standard.
Turning now to FIGS. 1A-1C, the present invention is illustrated in
the context of a typical application, here a meat processing plant.
A barcoded quality indicator 100 is attached to or otherwise
incorporated into each package 101 of processed meat. A package
bearing a barcoded quality indicator 100 is typically an individual
package suitable for retail sale.
In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention,
the quality indicators 100 may be assembled and/or actuated at the
same location or at a location adjacent that at which the quality
indicators 100 are associated with packages 101. A suitable
indicator assembler is indicated by reference numeral 102. It is
appreciated that indicator assembler 102 may be associated with an
automatic actuator. It is further appreciated that the actuator may
be automatic and may actuate the quality indicator after it has
been produced by indicator assembler 102.
As seen in FIG. 1A, additional barcoded quality indicators 103,
which are preferably different from the quality indicators 100, are
attached to or otherwise incorporated into cartons 104 containing
packages 101 of processed meat bearing quality indicators 100.
Preferably, the quality indicators 103 are assembled by an
indicator assembler 105 which is similar to the quality indicator
assembler 102, but is placed at a location which is different from
the location of the quality indicator assembler 102. Alternatively,
the quality indicators 103 may be assembled by the quality
indicator assembler 102.
Different types of indicators may be employed for different types
of packages. For example, the quality indicator used on a carton
containing a plurality of individual packages may be more or less
accurate or have a greater or lesser dynamic range of indications
than the quality indicator used on an individual package. The
dynamic range of an indicator may be a greater or lesser range of
temperatures and/or of times. Additionally or alternatively, the
quality indicator on a carton may include an indicator capable of
indicating exceedance of additional thresholds, not included in the
quality indicators of individual packages contained therein, or
fewer thresholds than the quality indicators of individual packages
contained therein.
In the illustrated embodiment, the quality indicators include an
EAN (European Article Number) barcode. The quality indicators 100
are preferably constructed to be actuatable by pulling a pull strip
106 forming part thereof, as indicated by reference numeral 107. In
the illustrated embodiment, the quality indicators 100 preferably
have a visible pre-actuation state I, a different visible
post-actuation state II and a visible state III indicating
exceedance of a predetermined temperature, for example 21 degrees
Celsius, for at least a predetermined cumulative amount of time,
for example ten minutes, as seen at reference numeral 125 in FIG.
1C.
The visible states are readable by a barcode reader. For example,
in this illustrated embodiment, the pre-actuation state I is read
as 7290003804108, the post-actuation state II is read as
7290003804122 and the visible state III is read as
7290003804115.
As further seen in FIG. 1A, the quality indicators 103 are
preferably constructed to be actuatable by pulling pull strip 108
forming part thereof, as indicated by reference numeral 109. In the
illustrated embodiment, the indicators 103 preferably have a
visible pre-actuation state IV, readable by a barcode reader
typically as 7290003804146. The indicators 103 preferably have a
visible post-actuation state V which is different from
pre-actuation state IV and is readable by a barcode reader
typically as 7290003804153. The indicators 103 preferably also have
an additional at least one visible state VI as seen, for example,
at reference numeral 110 in FIG. 1A and at reference numeral 119 in
FIG. 1B, indicating exceedance of a predetermined temperature, for
example 12 degrees Celsius, for at least a predetermined cumulative
amount of time, for example one hour. This further visible state is
readable by a barcode reader typically as 7290003804160.
Alternatively, any of the visible states IV, V and VI of the
quality indicators 103 may be associated with barcodes which are
the same as barcodes associated with states of the quality
indicators 100. If the same barcode is associated with states of
both types of indicators, then the identity of the quality
indicator read by a barcode reader is provided to the indication
interpreter by another method, for example by a manual entry to the
database.
It is appreciated that the predetermined temperatures and the
predetermined cumulative amounts of time may be selected as
appropriate for a given application.
It is appreciated that as long as the temperature of the packages
101 does not exceed a predetermined temperature for at least a
predetermined total amount of time, for example 21 degrees Celsius
for ten minutes, indicators 100 remain in the visible state II.
As seen in FIG. 1A, as long as the temperature of the cartons 104
does not exceed a predetermined temperature for at least a
predetermined total amount of time, for example 12 degrees Celsius
for one hour, the quality indicators 103 remain in the visible
state V.
As further seen in FIG. 1A, if during loading of truck A as
indicated by reference numeral 110, the temperature on the outside
of one or more cartons 104 is at least 30 degrees Celsius for a
period of five and a half hours, which is more then the
predetermined temperature of 12 degrees Celsius and the
predetermined total amount of time of one hour, the corresponding
indicators 103 assume the further visible state VI. This further
visible state VI does not revert to the visible state V
notwithstanding that the temperature of the carton 104 subsequently
drops below the predetermined temperature. These cartons, when
received by the customer, will be subject to inspection to
determine whether the temperature of the packages 101 inside the
cartons 104 exceeded predetermined time and temperature
thresholds.
Accordingly, upon inspection, as upon delivery, the quality
indicators 103 attached to the cartons 104 which were exposed to a
temperature of at least 30 degrees Celsius for a period of five and
a half hours may be read by an inspector using a conventional
barcode reader 113. The barcode in its visible state VI preferably
provides information to the quality indication computer 115 which
enables the indication interpreter forming part thereof to provide
an immediate indication of a quality status, such as a BAD
indication 116. This BAD indication 116 indicates that at some time
in the history of the quality indicator 103, the carton 104 to
which it was attached was at least at the predetermined temperature
for at least a predetermined total amount of time and that this
event may have rendered one or more of the products in carton 104
unacceptable for sale.
Should the quality indicator 103 be in the visible state IV,
indicating that proper actuation of the quality indicator 103 did
not occur, a NON-ACTUATED indication or a BAD indication may be
provided to an inspector or other interested party.
It is appreciated that until the cartons 104 are opened, which
normally occurs only upon delivery, it is impractical to visually
inspect the indicators 100 which are attached to the individual
packages 101 inside the cartons 104. Depending on the
circumstances, the temperature of the individual packages 101
within a carton 104 may or may not have exceeded 21 degrees Celsius
for ten minutes and the indicators 100 which are attached to the
packages 101 may or may not be in the further visible state III.
This normally can only be seen upon opening the cartons 104 as
shown in FIG. 1C.
It is a particular feature of the present invention that the time
and temperature thresholds of the quality indicators 100 and 103,
placed on the individual packages and the cartons containing them
respectively, are preferably related in order to provide highly
effective cold chain management. It is preferable that indicators
103 provide a time in temperature warning even if, upon inspection,
the indicators 100 show that the individual packages 101 have not
experienced unacceptable temperatures. In order that an
unacceptable rate of false alarms not occur, the thresholds of the
indicators 103 and 100 are preferably calibrated with respect to
each other based, inter alia, on empirical data.
As further seen in FIG. 1A, if during loading of truck B, the
ambient temperature on the outside of truck B reaches 15 degrees
Celsius for 30 minutes, which is less than the predetermined
duration of one hour, the quality indicators 103 remain in visible
state V, as seen at reference numeral 117.
At any stage, such as upon delivery, the quality indicators 103 can
be read with a conventional barcode reader 113, which preferably
communicates with a remote quality indication computer 115 and
provides an immediate indication of a quality status, such as an OK
indication 118, to an inspector. It is appreciated that normally
until delivery it is impractical to visually inspect the indicators
100.
As stated above with relation to loading of truck A as indicated by
reference numeral 110, it is preferable that the indicators 103
provide a time in temperature threshold exceedance warning even if,
upon inspection, the indicators 100 show that the individual
packages 101 have not experienced unacceptable temperatures for
unacceptable durations. Accordingly upon subsequent reading of the
indicators 100 on the packages 101 inside a carton 104 for which no
such warning was provided, as indicated by reference numeral 123 in
FIG. 1C, it is not expected that the indicators 100 will indicate
exceedance of corresponding time in temperature thresholds.
As seen in FIG. 1B, if during vehicle breakdown of truck B, the
ambient temperature outside of the cartons 104 is 15 degrees
Celsius which is more than the predetermined temperature of 12
degrees Celsius, for three hours which is more than the
predetermined total duration of one hour, the quality indicators
103 assume the further visible state VI, as seen at reference
numeral 119. This visible state VI does not revert to the visible
state V notwithstanding that the temperature of the cartons 104
subsequently drops below the predetermined temperature.
Accordingly, upon inspection, as upon delivery, upon reading the
quality indicators 103 by an inspector using a conventional barcode
reader 113, the barcode in its visible state VI preferably provides
information to the quality indication computer 115 which enables
the indication interpreter forming part thereof to provide an
immediate indication of a quality status, such as a BAD indication
120. This BAD indication 120 indicates that at some time in the
history of the quality indicator 103, the carton 104 to which it
was attached was at least at the predetermined temperature for at
least a predetermined total amount of time and that this event may
have rendered one or more of the products in carton 104
unacceptable for sale. It is appreciated that normally until
cartons 104 are opened, typically following delivery, it is
impractical to visually inspect indicators 100.
Depending on the circumstances, the temperatures of the individual
packages 101 within the cartons 104 may or may not have exceeded 21
degrees Celsius for ten minutes and the quality indicators 100
which are attached to the packages 101 may or may not be in the
further visible state III. This normally can only be seen upon
opening cartons 104 as shown in FIG. 1C.
As further seen from FIG. 1B and indicated by reference numeral
121, upon inspection, as upon delivery, the quality indicators 103
attached to the cartons 104 which were delivered by truck A may be
read by an inspector using a conventional barcode reader 113. As
indicated by reference numeral 110 in FIG. 1A with relation to
loading of truck A, one or more cartons 104 were exposed to a
temperature of at least 30 degrees Celsius for a period of five and
a half hours, and the quality indicators 103 of these cartons
assumed the visible state VI, indicating exceedance of time in
temperature thresholds.
In contrast, as indicated by reference numeral 121, the quality
indicators 103 of other cartons 104 which were not exposed to a
temperature of at least 30 degrees Celsius for a period of five and
a half hours remained in the visible state V. The barcode in its
visible state V preferably provides information to the quality
indication computer 115 which enables the indication interpreter
forming part thereof to provide an immediate OK indication 122.
Should the quality indicator 103 be in the visible state IV,
indicating that proper actuation of the quality indicator 103 did
not occur, a NON-ACTUATED indication or a BAD indication may be
provided to an inspector or other interested party.
Turning now specifically to FIG. 1C, it is seen that upon opening
the cartons 104 of packages 101 which were delivered by truck B, as
indicated by reference numeral 123, the quality indicators 100
attached to the packages 101 are read by a conventional barcode
reader 113. In this example, the quality indicators 100 of some of
packages 101 are in the visible state II, indicating that
notwithstanding that an indicator 103 on a carton 104 indicates
exceedance of a time in temperature threshold, some of the
packages, particularly those at the interior of the carton, may not
have exceeded a corresponding time in temperature threshold and may
be acceptable for sale.
Barcode reader 113 preferably communicates with a remote quality
indication computer 115 and provides an immediate OK indication 124
to an inspector, indicating that the temperature of some of
packages 101 did not exceed a predetermined temperature for at
least a predetermined total amount of time, for example 21 degrees
Celsius for ten minutes.
This OK indication is in contrast to the BAD indication 120
provided by the quality indicators 103 associated with the cartons
104 containing these packages 101 as the result of refrigeration
breakdown of truck B, as indicated by reference numeral 119 in FIG.
1B. As stated above with relation to truck A loading indicated by
reference numeral 110, it is preferable that the indicators 103
provide a time in temperature warning even if, upon inspection, the
indicators 100 show that the individual packages 101 have not
experienced unacceptable temperatures.
It is further stated above that in order that an unacceptable rate
of false alarms not occur, the thresholds of indicators 103 and 100
are preferably calibrated with respect to each other based, inter
alia, on empirical data, and not necessarily as indicated in the
example of FIGS. 1A-1C, which is provided for illustration
purposes. For example, a BAD indication for a carton 104 containing
packages 101 all having an OK indication can be prevented if
indicators 103 attached to the cartons 104 are calibrated to
indicate the exceedance of a higher time or temperature threshold
than that of indicators 100 on packages 101.
As further seen in FIG. 1C and indicated by reference numeral 125,
upon opening the cartons 104 of packages 101 which were delivered
by truck A and for which a BAD indication has already been provided
by the quality indicators 103 associated therewith during loading
of truck A, as indicated by reference numeral 110 in FIG. 1A, it is
seen that the indicators 100 assumed during transport a further
visible state III. It is appreciated that once the state III is
reached, the quality indicator 100 preferably does not thereafter
revert to the state II notwithstanding that the temperature of the
package 101 subsequently drops below the predetermined
temperature.
Accordingly, upon inspection, as upon delivery, upon reading the
quality indicator 100 by an inspector using a conventional barcode
reader 113, the barcode in its visible state III preferably
provides information to the quality indication computer 115 which
enables the indication interpreter forming part thereof to provide
an immediate indication of a quality status, such as a BAD
indication 127. This BAD indication 127 indicates that at some time
in the history of the quality indicator 100, the package 101 to
which it was attached was at a temperature exceeding the
predetermined temperature for more than at least a predetermined
cumulative amount of time, and that this event has rendered the
product in package 101 unacceptable for sale.
Should the quality indicator 100 be in the visible state I,
indicating that proper actuation of the quality indicator 100 did
not occur, a NON-ACTUATED indication or a BAD indication may be
provided to an inspector or other interested party.
It is appreciated, as discussed in more detail with reference to
FIG. 8 below, that whereas machine reading of the quality
indicators 100 and 103 provides an indication of whether or not a
given event has occurred, the indication of a quality status by the
quality indication computer 115 provides an indication of whether
and to what extent that event has affected the quality of a given
product with which the quality indicator 100 or the quality
indicator 103 are associated. It is appreciated that there may be a
great variation in the effect of a given event depending on the
type of product. Thus, for example, exposure to 21 degrees Celsius
for a short period of time may cause fresh meat to be rendered
unfit for sale but may not appreciably affect the quality or
saleability of oranges.
As further seen in FIG. 1C, a user employing an imager-equipped
telephone or other suitable mobile communicator 128 may image the
quality indicator 100 and communicate the image information to a
suitably programmed quality indication computer 130, which may be
identical to the computer 115, and which is capable of reading the
barcode from the image information and providing to the user, via
SMS or any other suitable communication methodology, an immediate
indication of a quality status, such as a GOOD QUALITY indication
132. This quality status indicates that the product is safe for
use. Alternatively, if the user employs a barcode reader-equipped
communicator, the communicator can provide to the computer 115 an
output resulting from reading the barcode.
It is appreciated that quality indication computer 130 may provide
reports to various interested entities, such as the manufacturer or
distributor of the products, health authorities and other
governmental or private entities, to enable real-time monitoring of
the quality of products offered for sale. The quality indication
computer 130 may have caller ID functionality so as to be able to
identify the caller, classify the caller, for example as a
customer, a manufacturer's QA inspector and a health inspector, and
provide an appropriate quality indication output. Additionally or
alternatively, the quality indication computer 130 may send
messages to supermarket management regarding remedial steps to be
taken, such as refrigeration maintenance or repair
instructions.
It is appreciated that the quality indicator may also be used for
indicating the elapse of a long period of time at a storage
temperature. Additionally, the quality indicator may be used to
indicate events which occur following the purchase of a
product.
Turning now to FIGS. 2A-2C, the present invention is illustrated in
the context of a typical application, here a meat processing plant.
In contrast to the embodiment described hereinabove with reference
to FIGS. 1A-1C, in the illustrated example of FIGS. 2A-2C, where
hot packaging and labeling takes place, it is necessary for
activation of the quality indicator to take place only once the
product has been cooled to its desired long term storage
temperature. A barcoded quality indicator 200 is attached to or
otherwise incorporated into each package 201 of processed meat. A
package bearing the barcoded quality indicator 200 is typically an
individual package suitable for retail sale.
In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention,
the quality indicators 200 may be assembled and/or actuated at the
same location or at a location adjacent that at which the quality
indicators 200 are associated with the packages 201. A suitable
indicator assembler is indicated by reference numeral 202. It is
appreciated that the indicator assembler 202 may be associated with
an automatic actuator. It is further appreciated that the actuator
may be automatic and may actuate the quality indicator after it has
been produced by the indicator assembler 202.
As seen in FIG. 2A, additional barcoded quality indicators 203,
which are preferably different from the quality indicators 200, are
attached to or otherwise incorporated into cartons 204 containing
packages 201 of processed meat bearing quality indicators 200.
Preferably, the quality indicators 203 are assembled by an
indicator assembler 205 which is similar to the indicator assembler
202, but is placed at a location which is different from the
location of the indicator assembler 202. Alternatively, the quality
indicators 203 may be assembled by the indicator assembler 202.
Different types of quality indicators may be employed for different
types of packages. For example, the quality indicator used on a
carton containing a plurality of individual packages may be more or
less accurate or have a greater or lesser dynamic range of
indications than the quality indicator used on an individual
package. The dynamic range of a quality indicator may be a greater
or lesser range of temperatures and/or of times. Additionally or
alternatively, the quality indicator on a carton may include a
quality indicator capable of indicating exceedance of additional
thresholds, not included on the quality indicators of individual
packages contained therein, or fewer thresholds than the quality
indicators of individual packages contained therein.
In the illustrated embodiment, the quality indicators include an
EAN (European Article Number) barcode. The quality indicators 200
are preferably constructed to be actuatable by pulling a pull strip
206 forming part thereof, as indicated by reference numeral 207. In
the illustrated embodiment, the quality indicators 200 preferably
have a visible pre-actuation state I, a different visible
post-actuation state II and a visible state III indicating
exceedance of a predetermined temperature, for example 21 degrees
Celsius, for at least a predetermined total amount of time, for
example ten minutes, as seen at reference numeral 225 in FIG.
2C.
The visible states are readable by a barcode reader. For example,
in this illustrated embodiment, the pre-actuation state I is read
as 7290003804108, the post-actuation state II is read as
7290003804122 and the visible state III is read as
7290003804115.
As further seen in FIG. 2A, the quality indicators 203 are
preferably constructed to be actuatable by pulling pull strip 208
forming part thereof, as indicated by reference numeral 209. In the
illustrated embodiment, the indicators 203 preferably have a
visible pre-actuation state IV, readable by a barcode reader
typically as 7290003804146. Indicators 203 preferably have a
visible post-actuation state V which is different from
pre-actuation state IV and is readable by a barcode reader
typically as 7290003804153. Indicators 203 preferably also have an
additional at least one visible state VI as seen, for example, at
reference numeral 210 in FIG. 2A and at reference numeral 219 in
FIG. 2B, indicating exceedance of a predetermined temperature, for
example 12 degrees Celsius, for at least a predetermined cumulative
amount of time, for example one hour. This further visible state is
readable by a barcode reader typically as 7290003804160.
Alternatively, any of the visible states IV, V and VI of the
quality indicators 203 may be associated with barcodes which are
the same as barcodes associated with states of the quality
indicators 200. If the same barcode is associated with states of
both types of indicators, then the identity of the quality
indicator read by a barcode reader is provided to the indication
interpreter by another method, for example by a manual entry to the
database.
It is appreciated that the predetermined temperatures and the
predetermined cumulative amounts of time may be selected as
appropriate for a given application.
In contrast to the embodiment described hereinabove with reference
to FIGS. 1A-1C, actuation, as by pulling the pull strip 206 or the
pull strip 208, does not result in immediate activation of the
indication functionality of the respective quality indicators 200
and 203. Thus the quality indicators 200 and 203 do not provide a
machine-readable indication of exceedance of thresholds which takes
place during a period of time between actuation and activation.
Typically the resulting activation delay may be 8 hours following
actuation. It is seen in FIG. 2A that during the activation delay
the quality indicators 200 and 203 are not sensitive to temperature
and retain their respective visible post-actuation states II and
V.
It is appreciated that various types of indicators may be employed
together in a quality management system. In some indicators
actuation may result in the immediate activation of the quality
indicator, and in other indicators activation of the quality
indicator following actuation may be delayed. It is also
appreciated that delayed activation of the indicator may take place
even if the indicator is operative to provide an indication of
exceedance without actuation.
It is appreciated that following elapse of the activation delay, as
long as the temperature of the packages 201 does not exceed a
predetermined temperature for at least a predetermined total amount
of time, for example 21 degrees Celsius for ten minutes, the
indicators 200 remain in the visible state II.
As seen in FIG. 2A as long as, following elapse of the activation
delay, the temperature of the carton 204 of packages 201 does not
exceed a predetermined temperature for at least a predetermined
cumulative amount of time, for example 12 degrees Celsius for one
hour, the quality indicators 203 remain in the visible state V.
As further seen in FIG. 2A, if during loading of truck A as
indicated by reference numeral 210, after the elapse of the
activation delay the temperature on the outside of one or more
cartons 204 is at least 30 degrees Celsius for a period of five and
a half hours, which is more then the predetermined temperature of
12 degrees Celsius and the predetermined total amount of time of
one hour, the corresponding indicators 203 assume the further
visible state VI. This further visible state VI does not revert to
the visible state V notwithstanding that the temperature of the
carton 204 subsequently drops below the predetermined temperature.
These cartons, when received by the customer, will be subject to
inspection to determine whether the temperature of the packages 201
inside the cartons 204 exceeded predetermined time in temperature
thresholds.
Accordingly, upon inspection, as upon delivery, the quality
indicators 203 attached to the cartons 204 which were exposed to a
temperature of at least 30 degrees Celsius for a period of five and
a half hours may be read by an inspector using a conventional
barcode reader 213. The barcode in its visible state VI preferably
provides information to the quality indication computer 215 which
enables the indication interpreter forming part thereof to provide
an immediate indication of a quality status, such as a BAD
indication 216. This BAD indication 216 indicates that at some time
in the history of the quality indicator 203, the carton 204 to
which it was attached was at least at the predetermined temperature
for at least a predetermined total amount of time and that this
event may have rendered one or more of the products in carton 204
unacceptable for sale.
Should the quality indicator 203 be in the visible state IV,
indicating that proper actuation of the quality indicator 203 did
not occur, a NON-ACTUATED indication or a BAD indication may be
provided to an inspector or other interested party.
It is appreciated that until the cartons 204 are opened, which
normally occurs only upon delivery, it is impractical to visually
inspect the indicators 200 which are attached to the individual
packages 201 inside the cartons 204. Depending on the
circumstances, the temperature of the individual packages 201
within a carton 204 may or may not have exceeded 21 degrees Celsius
for ten minutes and the quality indicators 200 which are attached
to the packages 201 may or may not be in the further visible state
III. This normally can only be seen upon opening the cartons 204 as
shown in FIG. 2C.
It is a particular feature of the present invention that the time
and temperature thresholds of the quality indicators 200 and 203,
placed on the individual packages and the cartons containing them
respectively, are preferably related in order to provide highly
effective cold chain management. It is preferable that the quality
indicators 203 provide a time in temperature warning even if, upon
inspection, indicators 200 show that the individual packages 201
have not experienced unacceptable temperatures. In order that an
unacceptable rate of false alarms not occur, the thresholds of
indicators 203 and 200 are preferably calibrated with respect to
each other based, inter alia, on empirical data.
As further seen in FIG. 2A, if during loading of truck B, after the
elapse of the activation delay the ambient temperature on the
outside of truck B reaches 15 degrees Celsius for thirty minutes,
which is less than the predetermined duration of one hour, the
quality indicator 203 remains in the visible state V, as seen at
reference numeral 217.
At any stage, such as upon delivery, the quality indicator 203 can
be read with a conventional barcode reader 213, which preferably
communicates with a remote quality indication computer 215 and
provides an immediate indication of a quality status, such as an OK
indication 218, to an inspector. It is appreciated that normally
until delivery it is impractical to visually inspect indicators
200.
As stated above with relation to loading of truck A as indicated by
reference numeral 210, it is preferable that the quality indicators
203 provide a time in temperature threshold exceedance warning even
if, upon inspection, the quality indicators 200 show that the
individual packages 201 have not experienced unacceptable
temperatures for unacceptable durations. Accordingly upon
subsequent reading of the quality indicators 200 on packages 201
inside a carton 204 for which no such warning was provided, as
indicated by reference numeral 223 in FIG. 2C, it is not expected
that indicators 200 will indicate exceedance of corresponding time
in temperature thresholds.
As seen in FIG. 2B, if during vehicle breakdown of truck B, after
the elapse of the activation delay the ambient temperature outside
of the cartons 204 is 15 degrees Celsius which is more than the
predetermined temperature of 12 degrees Celsius, for three hours
which is more than the predetermined total duration of one hour,
the quality indicator assumes the further visible state VI, as seen
at reference numeral 219. This visible state VI does not revert to
the visible state V notwithstanding that the temperature of the
cartons 204 subsequently drops below the predetermined
temperature.
Accordingly, upon inspection, as upon delivery, upon reading the
quality indicator 203 by an inspector using a conventional barcode
reader 213, the barcode in its visible state VI preferably provides
information to the quality indication computer 215 which enables
the indication interpreter forming part thereof to provide an
immediate indication of a quality status, such as a BAD indication
220. This BAD indication 220 indicates that at some time in the
history of the quality indicator 203, the carton 204 to which it
was attached was at least at the predetermined temperature for at
least a predetermined total amount of time and that this event may
have rendered one or more of the products in carton 204
unacceptable for sale. It is appreciated that normally until
cartons 204 are opened, typically following delivery, it is
impractical to visually inspect indicators 200.
Depending on the circumstances, the temperatures of the individual
packages 201 within the cartons 204 may or may not have exceeded 21
degrees Celsius for ten minutes and the quality indicators 200
which are attached to the packages 201 may or may not be in the
further visible state III. This normally can only be seen upon
opening cartons 204 as shown in FIG. 2C.
As further seen from FIG. 2B and indicated by reference numeral
221, upon inspection, as upon delivery, the quality indicators 203
attached to the cartons 204 which were delivered by truck A may be
read by an inspector using a conventional barcode reader 213. As
indicated by reference numeral 210 in FIG. 2A with relation to
loading of truck A, one or more cartons 204 were exposed to a
temperature of at least 30 degrees Celsius for a period of five and
a half hours, and the quality indicators 203 of these cartons
assumed the visible state VI, indicating exceedance of time in
temperature thresholds.
In contrast, as indicated by reference numeral 221, the quality
indicators 203 of other cartons 204 which were not exposed to a
temperature of at least 30 degrees Celsius for a period of five and
a half hours remained in the visible state V. The barcode in its
visible state V preferably provides information to the quality
indication computer 215 which enables the indication interpreter
forming part thereof to provide an immediate OK indication 222.
Should the quality indicator 203 be in visible state IV, indicating
that proper actuation of the quality indicator 203 did not occur, a
NON-ACTUATED indication or a BAD indication may be provided to an
inspector or other interested party.
Turning now specifically to FIG. 2C, it is seen that upon opening
the cartons 204 of packages 201 which were delivered by truck B, as
indicated by reference numeral 223, the quality indicators 200
attached to the packages 201 are read by a conventional barcode
reader 213. In this example, the quality indicators 200 of some of
packages 201 are in the visible state II, indicating that
notwithstanding that an indicator 203 on a carton 204 indicates
exceedance of a time in temperature threshold, some of the
packages, particularly those at the interior of the carton, may not
have exceeded a corresponding time in temperature threshold and may
be acceptable.
Barcode reader 213 preferably communicates with a remote quality
indication computer 215 and provides an immediate OK indication 224
to an inspector, indicating that the temperature of some of the
packages 201 did not exceed a predetermined temperature for at
least a predetermined total amount of time, for example 21 degrees
Celsius for ten minutes.
This OK indication is in contrast to the BAD indication 220
provided by the quality indicators 203 associated with cartons 204
containing these packages 201 as the result of refrigeration
breakdown of truck B, as indicated by reference numeral 219 in FIG.
2B. As stated above with relation to truck A loading indicated by
reference numeral 210, it is preferable that indicators 203 provide
a time in temperature warning even if, upon inspection, indicators
200 show that the individual packages 201 have not experienced
unacceptable temperatures.
It is further stated above that in order that an unacceptable rate
of false alarms not occur, the thresholds of the quality indicators
203 and 200 are preferably calibrated with respect to each other
based, inter alia, on empirical data, and not necessarily as
indicated in the example of FIGS. 2A-2C, which is provided for
illustration purposes. For example, a BAD indication for a carton
204 containing packages 201 all having an OK indication can be
prevented if the quality indicators 203 attached to the cartons 204
are calibrated to indicate the exceedance of a higher time or
temperature threshold than that of indicators 200 on packages
201.
As further seen in FIG. 2C and indicated by reference numeral 225,
upon opening the cartons 204 of packages 201 which were delivered
by truck A and for which a BAD indication has already been provided
by the quality indicators 203 associated therewith during loading
of truck A, as indicated by reference numeral 210 in FIG. 2A, it is
seen that indicators 200 assumed during transport the further
visible state III. It is appreciated that once the state III is
reached, the quality indicator 200 preferably does not thereafter
revert to the state II notwithstanding that the temperature of the
package 201 subsequently drops below the predetermined
temperature.
Accordingly, upon inspection, as upon delivery, upon reading the
quality indicator 200 by an inspector using a conventional barcode
reader 213, the barcode in its visible state III preferably
provides information to the quality indication computer 215 which
enables the indication interpreter forming part thereof to provide
an immediate indication of a quality status, such as a BAD
indication 227. This BAD indication 227 indicates that at some time
in the history of the quality indicator 200, the package 201 to
which it was attached was at a temperature exceeding the
predetermined temperature for more than at least a predetermined
cumulative amount of time, and that this event has rendered the
product in package 201 unacceptable for sale.
Should the quality indicator 200 be in the visible state I,
indicating that proper actuation of the quality indicator 200 did
not occur, a NON-ACTUATED indication or a BAD indication may be
provided to an inspector or other interested party.
It is appreciated, as discussed in more detail with reference to
FIG. 8 below, that whereas machine reading of the quality
indicators 200 and 203 provides an indication of whether or not a
given event has occurred, the indication of a quality status by the
quality indication computer 215 provides an indication of whether
and to what extent that event has affected the quality of a given
product with which the quality indicator 200 or the quality
indicator 203 are associated. It is appreciated that there may be a
great variation in the effect of a given event depending on the
type of product. Thus, for example, exposure to 21 degrees Celsius
for a short period of time may cause fresh meat to be rendered
unfit for sale but may not appreciably affect the quality or
saleability of oranges.
As further seen in FIG. 2C, a user employing an imager-equipped
telephone or other suitable mobile communicator 228 may image the
quality indicator 200 and communicate the image information to a
suitably programmed quality indication computer 230, which may be
identical to the computer 215, and which is capable of reading the
barcode from the image information and providing to the user, via
SMS or any other suitable communication methodology, an immediate
indication of a quality status, such as a GOOD QUALITY indication
232. This quality status indicates that the product is safe for
use. Alternatively, if the user employs a barcode reader-equipped
communicator, the communicator can provide to the computer 215 an
output resulting from reading the barcode.
It is appreciated that the quality indication computer 230 may
provide reports to various interested entities, such as the
manufacturer or distributor of the products, health authorities and
other governmental or private entities, to enable real-time
monitoring of the quality of products offered for sale. The quality
indication computer 230 may have caller ID functionality so as to
be able to identify the caller, classify the caller, for example as
a customer, a manufacturer's QA inspector and a health inspector,
and provide an appropriate quality indication output. Additionally
or alternatively, the quality indication computer 230 may send
messages to supermarket management regarding remedial steps to be
taken, such as refrigeration maintenance or repair
instructions.
It is appreciated that the quality indicator may also be used for
indicating the elapse of a long period of time at a storage
temperature. Additionally, the quality indicator may be used to
indicate events which occur following the purchase of a
product.
Reference is now made to FIGS. 3A-3D, which are simplified
illustrations of quality indicators constructed and operative in
accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention for
indicating a combination of elapsed time in temperature
history.
FIG. 3A illustrates a package of meat 300 including a combination
elapsed time in temperature indicator 301 constructed and operative
in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention
of the type described hereinabove with reference to FIGS. 1A-1C.
The quality indicator 301 is typically constructed to be actuatable
by pulling a pull strip 302 forming part thereof.
As illustrated in FIG. 3A, indicator 301 includes barcodes I, II,
III and IV, which are preferably different from each other and
arranged in a stacked arrangement. Barcodes I, II, III and IV are
in visible states 303, 304, 305 and 306, respectively. Prior to
actuation, barcode I in visible state 303 is typically readable by
a conventional barcode reader as 7290003804108 and barcodes II, III
and IV in the respective visible states 304, 305 and 306 are
preferably not readable by a barcode reader. Thus, the indicator
301 in its first visible state presents a single machine-readable
barcode typically readable by a conventional barcode reader as
7290003804108, as indicated by designator A.
Following actuation, the colorable common area indicated by
reference numeral 307 becomes colored, thereby causing barcode I to
become unreadable and barcode II to assume a further visible state
308, typically readable by a conventional barcode reader as
7290003804122. Barcodes III and IV remain unreadable and the
indicator 301 in its second visible state presents a single
machine-readable barcode typically readable by a conventional
barcode reader as 7290003804122, as long as the temperature of the
package 300 does not exceed a predetermined temperature for at
least a predetermined cumulative amount of time, for example 21
degrees Celsius for ten minutes, as indicated by designator B.
Once the temperature of the package 300 is more than the
predetermined temperature for at least a predetermined cumulative
amount of time, such as 25 degrees Celsius for ten minutes, the
colorable common area indicated by reference numeral 309 becomes
colored, thereby causing barcode II to become unreadable and
barcode III to assume a further visible state 310, typically
readable by a conventional barcode reader as 7290003804115.
Barcodes I and IV remain unreadable and the indicator 301 presents
a single machine-readable barcode typically readable by a
conventional barcode reader as 7290003804115, as indicated by
designator C.
If the temperature of the package 300 continues to exceed the
predetermined temperature for an additional predetermined amount of
time, for example 50 minutes, the colorable common area indicated
by reference numeral 311 becomes colored, thereby causing barcode
III to become unreadable and barcode IV to assume a further visible
state 312, typically readable by a conventional barcode reader as
7290003804139. Barcodes I and II remain unreadable and the
indicator 301 presents a single machine-readable barcode typically
readable by a conventional barcode reader as 7290003804139, as
indicated by designator D.
FIG. 3B illustrates a package of meat 320 including a combination
elapsed time in temperature indicator 321 constructed and operative
in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention
of the type described hereinabove with reference to FIGS. 2A-2C.
The quality indicator 321 is typically constructed to be actuatable
by pulling a pull strip 322 forming part thereof.
As illustrated in FIG. 3B, indicator 321 includes barcodes V, VI,
VII and VIII, which are preferably different from each other and
arranged in a stacked arrangement. Barcodes V, VI, VII and VIII are
in visible states 323, 324, 325 and 326, respectively. Prior to
actuation, barcode V in visible state 323 is typically readable by
a conventional barcode reader as 7290003804108 and barcodes VI, VII
and VIII in the respective visible states 324, 325 and 326 are
preferably not readable by a barcode reader. Thus, the indicator
321 in its first visible state presents a single machine-readable
barcode typically readable by a conventional barcode reader as
7290003804108, as indicated by designator A.
Following actuation, the colorable common area indicated by
reference numeral 327 becomes colored, thereby causing barcode V to
become unreadable and barcode VI to assume a further visible state
328, typically readable by a conventional barcode reader as
7290003804122. Barcodes VII and VIII remain unreadable and the
indicator 321 in its second visible state presents a single
machine-readable barcode typically readable by a conventional
barcode reader as 7290003804122.
The quality indicator 321 preferably remains in the second visible
state prior to activation, for at least a predetermined time
following actuation, typically 8 hours, irrespective of the
temperature of the quality indicator 321 as indicated by
designators B and C.
Upon activation, once the temperature of the package 320 is more
than the predetermined temperature for at least a predetermined
cumulative amount of time, such as 25 degrees Celsius for ten
minutes, the colorable common area indicated by reference numeral
329 becomes colored, thereby causing barcode VI to become
unreadable and barcode VII to assume a further visible state 330,
typically readable by a conventional barcode reader as
7290003804115. Barcodes V and VIII remain unreadable and the
indicator 321 presents a single machine-readable barcode typically
readable by a conventional barcode reader as 7290003804115, as
indicated by designator D.
If the temperature of the package 320 continues to exceed the
predetermined temperature for an additional predetermined amount of
time, for example 50 minutes, the colorable common area indicated
by reference numeral 331 becomes colored, thereby causing barcode
VII to become unreadable and barcode VIII to assume a further
visible state 332, typically readable by a conventional barcode
reader as 7290003804139. Barcodes V and VI remain unreadable and
the indicator 321 presents a single machine-readable barcode
typically readable by a conventional barcode reader as
7290003804139, as indicated by designator E.
FIG. 3C illustrates a package of meat 340 including a combination
elapsed time in temperature indicator 341 constructed and operative
in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention
of the type described hereinabove with reference to FIGS. 1A-1C.
The quality indicator 341 is typically constructed to be actuatable
by pulling a pull strip 342 forming part thereof.
As illustrated in FIG. 3C, indicator 341 includes barcodes IX, X,
XI and XII, which are preferably different from each other and
arranged in a stacked arrangement. Barcodes IX, X, XI and XII are
in visible states 343, 344, 345 and 346, respectively. Before
actuation, barcode IX in visible state 343 is typically readable by
a conventional barcode reader as 7290003804108, and barcodes X, XI
and XII in the respective visible states 344, 345 and 346 are
preferably not readable by a barcode reader. Thus, the indicator
341 in its first visible state presents a single machine-readable
barcode typically readable by a conventional barcode reader as
7290003804108, as indicated by designator A.
Following actuation, the colorable common area indicated by
reference numeral 347 becomes colored, thereby causing barcode IX
to become unreadable and barcode X to assume a further visible
state 348, typically readable by a conventional barcode reader as
7290003804122. Barcodes XI and XII remain unreadable and the
indicator 341 in its second visible state presents a single
machine-readable barcode typically readable by a conventional
barcode reader as 7290003804122, as long as the temperature of the
package 340 does not exceed a predetermined temperature for at
least a predetermined cumulative amount of time, for example 12
degrees Celsius for 30 minutes, as indicated by designator B.
Once the temperature of the package 340 is more than the
predetermined temperature for at least a predetermined cumulative
amount of time the colorable common area indicated by reference
numeral 349 becomes colored, thereby causing barcode X to become
unreadable and barcode XI to assume a further visible state 350,
typically readable by a conventional barcode reader as
7290003804115. Barcodes IX and XII remain unreadable and the
indicator 341 presents a single machine-readable barcode typically
readable by a conventional barcode reader as 7290003804115, as
indicated by designator C.
If the temperature of the package 340 exceeds a second
predetermined temperature, for example 21 degrees Celsius, for at
least predetermined amount of time, for example thirty minutes, the
colorable common area indicated by reference numeral 351 becomes
colored, thereby causing barcode XI to become unreadable and
barcode XII to assume a further visible state 352, typically
readable by a conventional barcode reader as 7290003804139.
Barcodes IX and X remain unreadable and the indicator 341 presents
a single machine-readable barcode typically readable by a
conventional barcode reader as 7290003804139, as indicated by
designator D.
FIG. 3D illustrates a package of meat 360 including a combination
elapsed time in temperature indicator 361 constructed and operative
in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention
of the type described hereinabove with reference to FIGS. 2A-2C.
The quality indicator 361 is typically constructed to be actuatable
by pulling a pull strip 362 forming part thereof.
As illustrated in FIG. 3D, indicator 361 includes barcodes XIII,
XIV, XV and XVI, which are preferably different from each other and
arranged in a stacked arrangement. Barcodes XIII, XIV, XV and XVI
are in visible states 363, 364, 365 and 366, respectively. Before
actuation, barcode XIII in visible state 363 is typically readable
by a conventional barcode reader as 7290003804108, and barcodes
XIV, XV and XVI in the respective visible states 364, 365 and 366
are preferably not readable by a barcode reader. Thus, the
indicator 361 in its first visible state presents a single
machine-readable barcode typically readable by a conventional
barcode reader as 7290003804108, as indicated by designator A.
Following actuation, the colorable common area indicated by
reference numeral 367 becomes colored, thereby causing barcode XIII
to become unreadable and barcode XIV to assume a further visible
state 368, typically readable by a conventional barcode reader as
7290003804122. Barcodes XV and XVI remain unreadable and the
indicator 361 in its second visible state presents a single
machine-readable barcode typically readable by a conventional
barcode reader as 7290003804122.
The quality indicator 361 preferably remains in the second visible
state prior to activation, for at least a predetermined time
following actuation, typically 8 hours, irrespective of the
temperature of the quality indicator 361 as indicated by
designators B and C.
Upon activation, once the temperature of the package 360 is more
than the predetermined temperature, for example 12 degrees Celsius,
for at least a predetermined cumulative amount of time, for
example, 30 minutes, the colorable common area indicated by
reference numeral 369 becomes colored, thereby causing barcode XIV
to become unreadable and barcode XV to assume a further visible
state 370, typically readable by a conventional barcode reader as
7290003804115. Barcodes XIII and XVI remain unreadable and the
indicator 361 presents a single machine-readable barcode typically
readable by a conventional barcode reader as 7290003804115, as
indicated by designator D.
If the temperature of the package 360 exceeds a second
predetermined temperature, for example 21 degrees Celsius, for at
least predetermined amount of time, for example thirty minutes, the
colorable common area indicated by reference numeral 371 becomes
colored, thereby causing barcode XV to become unreadable and
barcode XVI to assume a further visible state 372, typically
readable by a conventional barcode reader as 7290003804139.
Barcodes XIII and XIV remain unreadable and the indicator 361
presents a single machine-readable barcode typically readable by a
conventional barcode reader as 7290003804139, as indicated by
designator E.
It is appreciated that instead of using a separate barcode for
indicating different events, one or more barcodes may each be used
for indicating multiple events. For example, if the addition of a
first barcode bar causes a barcode in a first machine-readable
state to assume an unreadable state and the addition of a second
barcode bar causes the same barcode in the unreadable state to
assume a second machine-readable state then the first
machine-readable state may be used for indicating one event and the
second machine-readable state may be used for indicating a
different event.
Reference is now made to FIGS. 4A-7G, which, respectively, are
simplified illustrations of the structure and operation of examples
of the quality indicators of FIGS. 3A-3D constructed and operative
in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention
for indicating the exceedance of a combination of temperature
history and elapsed time.
Reference is now made to FIGS. 4A-4E, which together are a
simplified illustration of the construction and operation of one
embodiment of the quality indicator 301 of FIG. 3A for indicating a
combination of time and temperature. As seen in FIG. 4A, the
quality indicator, here designated by reference numeral 400,
preferably includes a barcode defining layer 402, which is
preferably printed on a transparent substrate. The printing on the
transparent substrate preferably defines a background area, which
is preferably printed with black ink and overprinted with white
ink, a plurality of bars forming part of barcodes I, II, III and IV
corresponding to barcodes I, II, III and IV of FIG. 3A in visible
states 404, 405, 406 and 407, respectively, which are preferably
printed with black ink, and a plurality of transparent areas 408,
409 and 410 forming part of the barcodes, which are preferably
printed with light blue ink, such as Pantone No. 645, which has a
visual appearance similar to that of the black ink overprinted with
white ink. Alternatively, the background area and the barcode are
printed in such colors as to define high contrast therebetween.
The transparent areas described in FIGS. 4-7 correspond to the
colorable common areas described above with reference to FIGS.
1-3.
For the purposes of the present specification and claims, the term
"transparent area" is defined so as to include within its scope
areas that are either transparent or translucent.
The barcodes I, II, III and IV are preferably arranged in a stacked
arrangement. Preferably, each of the transparent areas 408, 409 and
410 forms part of two barcodes. Accordingly, the transparent area
408 forms part of barcodes I and II, the transparent area 409 forms
part of barcodes II and III and the transparent area 410 forms part
of barcodes III and IV. The transparent areas preferably have the
same width as a single barcode bar. Alternatively, the width of any
of the transparent areas 408, 409 and 410 is different from the
width of a single barcode bar. Additionally, the width of the
portion of a transparent area which forms part of one barcode may
be different from the width of the portion of the same transparent
area which forms part of the other barcode.
Before actuation, the barcode I in the visible state 404 is
machine-readable in this embodiment and is typically readable by a
barcode reader as 7290003804108 and the visible states 405, 406 and
407 of the respective barcodes II, III and IV are not readable by a
barcode reader. The indicator 400 therefore presents a single
machine-readable barcode typically readable by a barcode reader as
7290003804108.
Disposed behind the barcode defining layer 402 and preferably
adhered thereto is a colorable element 415, such as Whatman No. 3
filter paper commercially available from Whatman International [CAT
#: 1003917], which until colored is normally white. The colorable
element 415 preferably extends behind the transparent areas 409 and
410 but not behind the transparent area 408. Disposed behind the
barcode defining layer 402 and behind the colorable element 415 is
a pull strip 420, corresponding to the pull strip 302 in FIG. 3A.
The pull strip 420 is preferably white and prevents the passage
therethrough of coloring agents employed in this embodiment of the
invention. Alternatively, the pull strip is transparent.
Preferably, the pull strip 420 is formed of polyester, for example
Melinex.RTM.401, commercially available from DuPont of Wilmington,
Del., and is preferably 75 micrometers thick.
Disposed behind the pull strip 420 is a back layer 421 which is
preferably black. Preferably adhered to the back layer 421
rearwardly of the colorable element 415 but not rearwardly of the
transparent areas 409 and 410 is a temperature responsive coloring
element 422, such as a pad, for example, K-R; 210/34/28,
commercially available from Noam-Urim of Kibbutz Urim, Israel,
impregnated with a coloring agent, such as Sudan Black, a black
color dye [CAS: 4197-25-5], dissolved at a ratio of 1 gram per 1 kg
in Coconut oil [CAS: 8001-31-8]. 21 degrees
Until such time as the pull strip 420 is removed, the quality
indicator 400 is nonresponsive to temperature changes.
Turning to FIG. 4B, once the pull strip 420 is removed, the quality
indicator 400 becomes responsive to temperature changes. As long as
the temperature at the quality indicator does not exceed a
predetermined temperature, for example 21 degrees Celsius, for at
least a predetermined cumulative amount of time, typically ten
minutes, the portions of the black back layer 421 which are visible
through the transparent area 408 appear similar to the bars of
barcodes I and II in the respective visible states 404 and 405. The
portion of the back layer 421 which is visible through the part of
the transparent area 408 forming part of barcode I renders barcode
I unreadable by a conventional barcode reader. The portion of the
back layer 421 which is visible through the part of the transparent
area 408 forming part of barcode II in the visible state 405 can be
read together therewith as a single barcode in a visible state 430,
typically readable by a barcode reader as 7290003804122. Barcodes
III and IV remain unreadable and the indicator 400 therefore
presents a single machine-readable barcode typically readable by a
barcode reader as 7290003804122.
Turning to FIG. 4C, when the pull strip 420 has been removed and
when the temperature at the quality indicator exceeds 21 degrees
Celsius, such as when the temperature reaches 25 degrees Celsius,
the coloring agent in the coloring element 422 begins to melt and
be released from the coloring element 422 and begins to diffuse
through the colorable element 415.
It is appreciated that if the temperature thereafter drops below 21
degrees Celsius the coloring agent continues to diffuse through the
colorable element 415. If, after the temperature reaches 21 degrees
Celsius, the temperature drops below 17 degrees Celsius, then the
coloring agent becomes solid and diffusion thereof through the
colorable element 415 is suspended until the temperature again
reaches 21 degrees Celsius.
It is also appreciated that the elapsed time from the start of
diffusion of the coloring agent from the coloring element 422 along
the colorable element 415 until portions of the colorable element
415 which are visible through the transparent areas 409 and 410
start to become colored is defined, for example, by the length of
the colorable element 415 between the area in front of coloring
element 422 and the area underlying the transparent areas 409 and
410. Additionally, this elapsed time is a function of the material
from which the colorable element 415 is made and the thickness
thereof.
Accordingly, in the illustrated embodiment, the coloring element
422 is positioned such that the elapsed time from the start of
diffusion of the coloring agent along the colorable element 415
until portions of the colorable element 415 are visible through the
transparent areas 409 and 410 is ten minutes and one hour,
respectively.
As seen in FIG. 4D, when the temperature is at least 21 degrees
Celsius for at least a predetermined cumulative amount of time,
such as 25 degrees Celsius for ten minutes, the coloring agent
diffuses through the colorable element 415, such that the portions
of the colorable element 415 which are visible through the
transparent area 409 become colored and appear similar to the bars
of barcode II in the visible state 430 and to the bars of barcode
III in the visible state 406. The colored portion of the
transparent area 409, which forms part of barcode II, renders
barcode II unreadable. The colored portion of the transparent area
409 which forms part of barcode III in the visible state 406 can be
read together therewith as a single barcode in the visible state
431, which is typically readable by a barcode reader as
7290003804115. Barcodes I and IV remain unreadable and the
indicator 400 thus presents a single machine-readable barcode
typically readable by a barcode reader as 7290003804115.
It is appreciated that the portion of the transparent area 409
which forms part of barcode II may be wider than the portion of the
transparent area 409 forms part of barcode III. Accordingly, if the
temperature is at least 21 degrees Celsius for an additional amount
of time, the portion of the transparent area 409 which forms part
of barcode II continues to be colored thereby ensuring the
unreadability of barcode II.
Turning now to FIG. 4E, following the elapse of an additional
amount of time at a temperature of at least 21 degrees Celsius, for
example 50 additional minutes at 25 degrees Celsius, the coloring
agent continues to diffuse through the colorable element 415, such
that the portions of the colorable element 415 which are visible
through the transparent area 410 become colored and appear similar
to the bars of barcode III in the visible state 431 and to the bars
of the barcode IV in the visible state 407. The colored portion of
the transparent area 410 which forms part of barcode III renders
barcode III unreadable. The colored portion of the transparent area
410 which forms part of barcode IV in the visible state 407 can be
read together therewith as a single barcode in the visible state
432, which is typically readable by a barcode reader as
7290003804139. Barcodes I and II remain unreadable and the
indicator 400 therefore presents a single machine-readable barcode
typically readable by a barcode reader as 7290003804139.
It is appreciated that the portion of the transparent area 410
which forms part of barcode III may be wider than the portion of
the transparent area 410 which forms part of barcode IV.
Accordingly, if the temperature is at least 21 degrees Celsius for
an additional amount of time, the portion of the transparent area
410 which forms part of barcode III continues to be colored thereby
ensuring the unreadability of barcode III.
Reference is now made to FIGS. 5A-5F, which together are a
simplified illustration of the construction and operation of one
embodiment of the quality indicator 321 of FIG. 3B for indicating a
combination of time and temperature. As seen in FIG. 5A, the
quality indicator, here designated by reference numeral 500,
preferably includes a barcode defining layer 502, which is
preferably printed on a transparent substrate. The printing on the
transparent substrate preferably defines a background area, which
is preferably printed with black ink and overprinted with white
ink, a plurality of bars forming part of barcodes V, VI, VII and
VIII corresponding to barcodes V, VI, VII and VIII of FIG. 3B in
visible states 504, 505, 506 and 507, respectively, which are
preferably printed with black ink, and a plurality of transparent
areas 508, 509 and 510 forming part of the barcodes, which are
preferably printed with light blue ink, such as Panton No. 645,
which has a visual appearance similar to that of the black ink
overprinted with white ink. Alternatively, the background area and
the barcode are printed in such colors as to define high contrast
therebetween.
The barcodes V, VI, VII and VIII are preferably arranged in a
stacked arrangement. Preferably, each of the transparent areas 508,
509 and 510 forms part of two barcodes. Accordingly, the
transparent area 508 forms part of barcodes V and VI, the
transparent area 509 forms part of barcodes VI and VII and the
transparent area 510 forms part of barcodes VII and VIII. The
transparent areas preferably have the same width as a single
barcode bar. Alternatively, the width of any of the transparent
areas 508, 509 and 510 is different from the width of a single
barcode bar. Additionally, the width of the portion of a
transparent area which forms part of one barcode may be different
from the width of the portion of the same transparent area which
forms part of the other barcode.
Before actuation, the barcode V in the visible state 504 is
machine-readable in this embodiment and is typically readable by a
barcode reader as 7290003804108 and the visible states 505, 506 and
507 of the respective barcodes VI, VII and VIII are not readable by
a barcode reader. Thus, the indicator 500, in its first visible
state, presents a single machine-readable barcode typically
readable by a barcode reader as 7290003804108.
Disposed behind the barcode defining layer 502 and preferably
adhered thereto is a colorable element 515, such as Whatman No. 3
filter paper commercially available from Whatman International [CAT
#: 1003917], which until colored is normally white. The colorable
element 515 preferably extends behind the transparent areas 509 and
510 but not behind the transparent area 508.
Disposed behind the barcode defining layer 502 and behind the
colorable element 515 and preferably adhered thereto is a
dissolvable activation delay layer 517 formed, for example from
Ethyl Cellulose [CAS #: 9004-57-3]. The activation delay layer 517
is dissolvable by a suitable solvent, as described hereinbelow, and
until dissolved prevents the passage therethrough of coloring
agents employed in this embodiment of the present invention.
It is appreciated that the dissolvable activation delay layers 517
may provide selectable and possibly different delay durations over
any suitable range of durations which may extend from effectively
zero to any suitable maximum. Such selectability may be effected,
for example, by varying thickness, material, coatings and/or
structure.
Disposed behind the activation delay layer 517, the barcode
defining layer 502 and the colorable element 515 is a pull strip
520, corresponding to the pull strip 322 in FIG. 3B. The pull strip
520 is preferably white and prevents the passage therethrough of
coloring agents employed in this embodiment of the invention.
Alternatively, the pull strip is transparent. Preferably, the pull
strip 520 is formed of polyester, for example Melinex.RTM.401,
commercially available from DuPont of Wilmington, Del., and is
preferably 75 micrometers thick.
Disposed behind the pull strip 520 is a back layer 521 which is
preferably black. Preferably adhered to the back layer 521
rearwardly of the colorable element 515 and of the activation delay
layer 517 but not rearwardly of the transparent areas 509 and 510
is a temperature responsive coloring element 522, such as a pad,
for example, K-R; 210/34/28, commercially available from Noam-Urim
of Kibbutz Urim, Israel, impregnated with a coloring agent, such as
Sudan Black, a black color dye [CAS: 4197-25-5], dissolved at a
ratio of 1 gram per 1 kg in Coconut oil [CAS: 8001-31-8]. 21
degrees
Adjacent the coloring element 522 or combined therewith is a
solvent 524, such as Methyl laurate [CAS #: 111-82-0] which, as
noted above, is operative to dissolve the dissolvable activation
delay layer 517, preferably after a predetermined period of time,
which is preferably measured in hours, such as eight hours. The
solvent 524 may be temperature-responsive.
Until such time as the pull strip 720 is removed, the quality
indicator 700 is nonresponsive to temperature changes.
Turning now to FIG. 5B, once the pull strip 520 is removed, the
solvent 524 begins to dissolve the dissolvable activation delay
layer 517. Prior to the dissolvable activation delay layer 517
becoming permeable to the coloring agent in the temperature
responsive coloring element 522, the quality indicator 500 does not
provide a readable indication responsive to temperature changes and
the portions of the black back layer 521 which are visible through
the transparent area 508 appear similar to the bars of barcodes V
and VI in the respective visible states 504 and 505. The portion of
the back layer 521 which is visible through the part of the
transparent area 508 forming part of barcode V renders barcode V
unreadable by a conventional barcode reader. The portion of the
back layer 521 which is visible through the part of the transparent
area 508 forming part of barcode VI in the visible state 505 can be
read together therewith as a single barcode in a visible state 530,
typically readable by a barcode reader as 7290003804122. Barcodes
VII and VIII remain unreadable and the indicator 500 in its second
visible state presents a single machine-readable barcode typically
readable by a barcode reader as 7290003804122.
It is appreciated that the time needed to achieve dissolution of
dissolvable activation delay layer 517 may be determined for
example by the thickness thereof.
Turning now to FIG. 5C, once the dissolvable activation delay layer
517 becomes permeable to the coloring agent in the temperature
responsive coloring element 522, typically after 8 hours, the
quality indicator 500 becomes responsive to temperature changes. As
long as the temperature at the quality indicator does not reach a
predetermined temperature for example 21 degrees Celsius, for at
least a predetermined cumulative amount of time for example for ten
minutes, the quality indicator remains in the second visible
state.
Turning to FIG. 5D, after the dissolution of the activation delay
layer 517, when the temperature at the quality indicator exceeds 21
degrees Celsius, such as when the temperature reaches 25 degrees
Celsius, the coloring agent in the coloring element 522 begins to
melt and be released from the coloring element 522 and begins to
diffuse through the colorable element 515.
It is appreciated that if the temperature thereafter drops below 21
degrees Celsius the coloring agent continues to diffuse through the
colorable element 515. If, after the temperature reaches 21 degrees
Celsius, the temperature drops below 17 degrees Celsius, then the
coloring agent becomes solid and diffusion thereof through the
colorable element 515 is suspended until the temperature again
reaches 21 degrees Celsius.
It is also appreciated that the elapsed time from the start of
diffusion of the coloring agent from the coloring element 522 along
the colorable element 515 until portions of the colorable element
515 which are visible through the transparent areas 509 and 510
start to become colored is defined, for example, by the length of
the colorable element 515 between the area in front of coloring
element 522 and the area underlying the transparent areas 509 and
510. Additionally, this elapsed time is a function of the material
from which the colorable element 515 is made and the thickness
thereof.
Accordingly, in the illustrated embodiment, the coloring element
522 is positioned such that the elapsed time from the start of
diffusion of the coloring agent along the colorable element 515
until portions of the colorable element 515 are visible through the
transparent areas 509 and 510 is ten minutes and one hour,
respectively.
As seen in FIG. 5E, when the temperature is at least 21 degrees
Celsius for at least a predetermined cumulative amount of time,
such as 25 degrees Celsius for ten minutes, the coloring agent
diffuses through the colorable element 515, such that the portions
of the colorable element 515 which are visible through the
transparent area 509 become colored and appear similar to the bars
of barcode VI in the visible state 530 and to the bars of barcode
VII in the visible state 506. The colored portion of the
transparent area 509 which forms part of barcode VI, renders
barcode VI unreadable. The colored portion of the transparent area
509 which forms part of barcode VII in the visible state 506 can be
read together therewith as a single barcode in the visible state
531, which is typically readable by a barcode reader as
7290003804115. Barcodes V and VIII remain unreadable and the
indicator 500 thus presents a single machine-readable barcode
typically readable by a barcode reader as 7290003804115.
It is appreciated that the portion of the transparent area 509
which forms part of barcode VI may be wider than the portion of the
transparent area 509 which forms part of barcode VII. Accordingly,
if the temperature is at least 21 degrees Celsius for an additional
amount of time, the portion of the transparent area 509 which forms
part of barcode VI continues to be colored thereby ensuring the
unreadability of barcode VI.
Turning now to FIG. 5F, following the elapse of an additional
amount of time at a temperature of at least 21 degrees Celsius, for
example 50 additional minutes at 25 degrees Celsius, the coloring
agent continues to diffuse through the colorable element 515, such
that the portions of the colorable element 515 which are visible
through the transparent area 510 become colored and appear similar
to the bars of barcode VII in the visible state 531 and to the bars
of the barcode VIII in the visible state 507. The colored portion
of the transparent area 510 which forms part of barcode VII renders
barcode VII unreadable. The colored portion of the transparent area
510 which forms part of barcode VIII in the visible state 507 can
be read together therewith as a single barcode in the visible state
532, which is typically readable by a barcode reader as
7290003804139. Barcodes V and VI remain unreadable and the
indicator 500 therefore presents a single machine-readable barcode
typically readable by a barcode reader as 7290003804139.
It is appreciated that the portion of the transparent area 510
which forms part of barcode VII may be wider than the portion of
the transparent area 510 which forms part of barcode VIII.
Accordingly, if the temperature is at least 21 degrees Celsius for
an additional amount of time, the portion of the transparent area
510 which forms part of barcode VII continues to be colored thereby
ensuring the unreadability of barcode VII.
Reference is now made to FIGS. 6A-6F, which together are a
simplified illustration of the construction and operation of one
embodiment of the quality indicator 341 of FIG. 3C for indicating
the exceedance of a combination of time and temperature. As seen in
FIG. 6A, the quality indicator, here designated by reference
numeral 600, preferably includes a barcode defining layer 602,
which is preferably printed on a transparent substrate. The
printing on the transparent substrate preferably defines a
background area, which is preferably printed with black ink
overprinted with white ink, a plurality of bars forming part of
barcodes IX, X, XI and XII corresponding to barcodes IX, X, XI and
XII of FIG. 3C in visible states 604, 605, 606 and 607,
respectively, which are preferably printed with black ink, and a
plurality of transparent areas 608, 609 and 610 forming part of the
barcodes, which are preferably printed with light blue ink, such as
Panton No. 645, which has a visual appearance similar to that of
the black ink overprinted with white ink. Alternatively, the
background area and the barcode are printed in such colors as to
define high contrast therebetween.
The barcodes IX, X, XI and XII are preferably arranged in a stacked
arrangement. Preferably, each of the transparent areas 608, 609 and
610 forms part of two barcodes. Accordingly, the transparent area
608 forms part of barcodes IX and X, the transparent area 609 forms
part of barcodes X and XI and the transparent area 610 forms part
of barcodes XI and XII. The transparent areas preferably have the
same width as a single barcode bar. Alternatively, the width of any
of the transparent areas 608, 609 and 610 is different from the
width of a single barcode bar. Additionally, the width of the
portion of a transparent area which forms part of one barcode may
be different from the width of the portion of the same transparent
area which forms part of the other barcode.
Before actuation, the barcode in the visible state 604 of barcode
IX is machine-readable in this embodiment and is typically readable
by a barcode reader as 7290003804108 and the visible states 605,
606 and 607 of the respective barcodes X, XI and XII are not
readable by a barcode reader. The indicator 600 therefore presents
a single machine-readable barcode typically readable by a barcode
reader as 7290003804108.
Disposed behind the barcode defining layer 602 and preferably
adhered thereto is a colorable element 615, such as Whatman No. 3
filter paper commercially available from Whatman International [CAT
#: 1003917], which until colored is normally white. The colorable
element 615 preferably extends behind the transparent area 609 but
not behind the transparent areas 608 and 610. Also disposed behind
the barcode defining layer 602 and preferably adhered thereto is a
colorable element 616, such as Whatman No. 3 filter paper
commercially available from Whatman International [CAT #: 1003917],
which until colored is normally white. The colorable element 616 is
preferably adjacent the colorable element 615 and preferably
extends behind the transparent area 610 but not behind the
transparent areas 608 and 609. Disposed behind the barcode defining
layer 602 and behind the colorable elements 615 and 616 is a pull
strip 620, corresponding to the pull strip 342 in FIG. 3C. The pull
strip 620 is preferably white and prevents the passage therethrough
of coloring agents employed in this embodiment of the invention.
Alternatively, the pull strip is transparent. Preferably, the pull
strip 620 is formed of polyester, for example Melinex.RTM.401,
commercially available from DuPont of Wilmington, Del., and is
preferably 75 micrometers thick.
Disposed behind the pull strip 620 is a back layer 621 which is
preferably black. Preferably adhered to back layer 621 rearwardly
of colorable element 615 but not rearwardly of transparent area 609
is a temperature responsive coloring element 622, such as a pad,
for example, K-R; 210/34/28, commercially available from Noam-Urim
of Kibbutz Urim, Israel, impregnated with a coloring agent, such as
Sudan Black, a black color dye [CAS: 4197-25-5], dissolved at a
ratio of 1 gram per 1 kg in a solution of 74.25% Coconut oil [CAS:
8001-31-8], 24.75% Oleic acid [CAS: 112-80-1] and 1% Hexanoic acid
[CAS: 142-62-1]. 12 degrees. Also preferably adhered to the back
layer 621 rearwardly of colorable element 616 but not rearwardly of
transparent area 610 and preferably adjacent coloring element 622
is a temperature responsive coloring element 623, such as a pad,
for example, K-R; 210/34/28, commercially available from Noam-Urim
of Kibbutz Urim, Israel, impregnated with a coloring agent, such as
Sudan Black, a black color dye [CAS: 4197-25-5], dissolved at a
ratio of 1 gram per 1 kg in Coconut oil [CAS: 8001-31-8]. 21
degrees
Until such time as the pull strip 620 is removed, the quality
indicator 600 is nonresponsive to temperature changes.
Turning to FIG. 6B, once the pull strip 620 is removed, the quality
indicator 600 becomes responsive to temperature changes. As long as
the temperature at the quality indicator does not exceed a
predetermined temperature, for example 12 degrees Celsius, for at
least a predetermined cumulative amount of time, typically thirty
minutes, the portions of the black back layer 621 which are visible
through the transparent area 608 appear similar to the bars of
barcodes IX and X in the respective visible states 604 and 605. The
portion of the back layer 621 which is visible through the part of
the transparent area 608 forming part of barcode IX in visible
state 604 renders barcode IX unreadable by a conventional barcode
reader. The portion of the back layer 621 which is visible through
the part of the transparent area 608 forming part of barcode X in
the visible state 605 can be read together therewith as a single
barcode in a visible state 630, typically readable by a barcode
reader as 7290003804122. Barcodes XI and XII remain unreadable and
the indicator 600 therefore presents a single machine-readable
barcode typically readable by a barcode reader as
7290003804122.
Turning to FIG. 6C, when the pull strip 620 has been removed and
when the temperature at the quality indicator exceeds 12 degrees
Celsius, the coloring agent in the coloring element 622 begins to
melt and be released from the coloring element 622 and begins to
diffuse through the colorable element 615.
It is appreciated that if the temperature thereafter drops below 12
degrees Celsius the coloring agent continues to diffuse through the
colorable element 615. If, after the temperature reaches 12 degrees
Celsius, the temperature drops below 7 degrees Celsius, the
coloring agent becomes solid and diffusion thereof through the
colorable element 615 is suspended until the temperature again
reaches 12 degrees Celsius.
It is appreciated that the elapsed time from the start of diffusion
of the coloring agent from the coloring elements 622 and 623 along
the respective colorable elements 615 and 616 until portions of the
colorable elements 615 and 616 which are visible through the
respective transparent areas 609 and 610 start to become colored is
defined for example by the lengths of the colorable elements 615
and 616 between the area in front of coloring elements 622 and 623
and the area underlying the transparent areas 609 and 610.
Additionally, this elapsed time is a function of the material from
which the colorable elements 615 and 616 are made and the thickness
thereof.
Accordingly, in the illustrated embodiment, the coloring elements
622 and 623 are positioned between the transparent areas 609 and
610 such that the elapsed time from the start of diffusion of the
coloring agents along the colorable elements 615 and 616 until
portions of the colorable elements 615 and 616 are visible through
the respective transparent areas 609 and 610 is thirty minutes.
As seen in FIG. 6D, when the temperature is at least 12 degrees
Celsius for at least a predetermined cumulative amount of time, for
example thirty minutes, the coloring agent diffuses through the
colorable element 615, such that the portions of the colorable
element 615 which are visible through the transparent area 609
become colored and appear similar to the bars of barcode X in the
visible state 630 and to the bars of barcode XI in the visible
state 606. The colored portion of the transparent area 609, which
forms part of barcode X, renders barcode X unreadable. The colored
portion of the transparent area 609, which forms part of barcode XI
in the visible state 606, can be read together therewith as a
single barcode in the visible state 631, which is typically
readable by a barcode reader as 7290003804115. Barcodes IX and XII
remain unreadable and the indicator 600 thus presents a single
machine-readable barcode typically readable by a barcode reader as
7290003804115.
It is appreciated that the portion of the transparent area 609
which forms part of barcode X may be wider than the portion of the
transparent area 609 which forms part of barcode XI. Accordingly,
if the temperature is at least 12 degrees Celsius for an additional
amount of time, the portion of the transparent area 609 which forms
part of barcode X continues to be colored thereby ensuring the
unreadability of barcode X.
Turning to FIG. 6E, when the temperature at the quality indicator
exceeds 21 degrees Celsius, the coloring agent in the coloring
element 623 begins to melt and be released from the coloring
element 623 and begins to diffuse through the colorable element
616.
It is appreciated that if the temperature thereafter drops below 21
degrees Celsius the coloring agent continues to diffuse through the
colorable element 616. If, after the temperature reaches 21 degrees
Celsius, the temperature drops below 17 degrees Celsius, the
coloring agent becomes solid and diffusion thereof through the
colorable element 616 is suspended until the temperature again
reaches 21 degrees Celsius.
As seen in FIG. 6F, when the temperature is at least 21 degrees
Celsius for at least a predetermined cumulative amount of time,
such as thirty minutes, the coloring agent diffuses through the
colorable element 616, such that the portions of the colorable
element 616 which are visible through the transparent area 610
become colored and appear similar to the bars of barcode XI in the
visible state 631 and to the bars of barcode XII in the visible
state 607. The colored portion of the transparent area 610, which
forms part of barcode XI, renders barcode XI unreadable. The
colored portion of the transparent area 609 which forms part of
barcode XII in the visible state 607 can be read together therewith
as a single barcode in the visible state 632, which is typically
readable by a barcode reader as 7290003804139. Barcodes IX and X
remain unreadable and the indicator 600 therefore presents a single
machine-readable barcode typically readable by a barcode reader as
7290003804139
It is appreciated that the portion of the transparent area 610
which forms part of barcode XI may be wider than the portion of the
transparent area 610 which forms part of barcode XII. Accordingly,
if the temperature is at least 21 degrees Celsius for an additional
amount of time, the portion of the transparent area 610 which forms
part of barcode XI continues to be colored thereby ensuring the
unreadability of barcode XI.
Reference is now made to FIGS. 7A-7G, which together are a
simplified illustration of the construction and operation of one
embodiment of the quality indicator 361 of FIG. 3D for indicating
the exceedance of a combination of time and temperature. As seen in
FIG. 7A, the quality indicator, here designated by reference
numeral 700, preferably includes a barcode defining layer 702,
which is preferably printed on a transparent substrate. The
printing on the transparent substrate preferably defines a
background area, which is preferably printed with black ink
overprinted with white ink, a plurality of bars forming part of
barcodes XIII, XIV, XV and XVI corresponding to barcodes XIII, XIV,
XV and XVI of FIG. 3D in visible states 704, 705, 706 and 707,
respectively, which are preferably printed with black ink, and a
plurality of transparent areas 708, 709 and 710 forming part of the
barcodes, which are preferably printed with light blue ink, such as
Panton No. 645, which has a visual appearance similar to that of
the black ink overprinted with white ink. Alternatively, the
background area and the barcode are printed in such colors as to
define high contrast therebetween.
The barcodes XIII, XIV, XV and XVI are preferably arranged in a
stacked arrangement. Preferably, each of the transparent areas 708,
709 and 710 forms part of two barcodes. Accordingly, the
transparent area 708 forms part of barcodes XIII and XIV, the
transparent area 709 forms part of barcodes XIV and XV and the
transparent area 710 forms part of barcodes XV and XVI. The
transparent areas preferably have the same width as a single
barcode bar. Alternatively, the width of any of the transparent
areas 708, 709 and 710 is different from the width of a single
barcode bar. Additionally, the width of the portion of a
transparent area which forms part of one barcode may be different
from the width of the portion of the same transparent area which
forms part of the other barcode.
Before actuation, the barcode in the visible state 704 of barcode
XIII is machine-readable in this embodiment and is typically
readable by a barcode reader as 7290003804108 and the visible
states 705, 706 and 707 of the respective barcodes XIV, XV and XVI
are not readable by a barcode reader. Thus, the indicator 700 in
its first visible state presents a single machine-readable barcode
typically readable by a barcode reader as 7290003804108.
Disposed behind the barcode defining layer 702 and preferably
adhered thereto is a colorable element 715, such as Whatman No. 3
filter paper commercially available from Whatman International [CAT
#: 1003917], which until colored is normally white. The colorable
element 715 preferably extends behind the transparent area 709 but
not behind the transparent areas 708 and 710. Also disposed behind
the barcode defining layer 702 and preferably adhered thereto is a
colorable element 716, such as Whatman No. 3 filter paper
commercially available from Whatman International [CAT #: 1003917],
which until colored is normally white. The colorable element 716 is
preferably adjacent the colorable element 715 and preferably
extends behind the transparent area 710 but not behind the
transparent areas 708 and 709.
Disposed behind the barcode defining layer 702 and behind the
colorable elements 715 and 716 and preferably adhered thereto is a
dissolvable activation delay layer 717 formed, for example from
Ethyl Cellulose [CAS #: 9004-57-3]. The activation delay layer 717
is dissolvable by a suitable solvent, as described hereinbelow, and
until dissolved prevents the passage therethrough of coloring
agents employed in this embodiment of the present invention.
It is appreciated that the dissolvable activation delay layers 717
may provide selectable and possibly different delay durations over
any suitable range of durations which may extend from effectively
zero to any suitable maximum. Such selectability may be effected,
for example, by varying thickness, material, coatings and/or
structure.
Disposed behind the activation delay layer 717, the barcode
defining layer 702 and the colorable elements 715 and 716 is a pull
strip 720, corresponding to the pull strip 362 in FIG. 3D. The pull
strip 720 is preferably white and prevents the passage therethrough
of coloring agents employed in this embodiment of the invention.
Alternatively, the pull strip is transparent. Preferably, the pull
strip 720 is formed of polyester, for example Melinex.RTM.401,
commercially available from DuPont of Wilmington, Del., and is
preferably 75 micrometers thick.
Disposed behind the pull strip 720 is a back layer 721 which is
preferably black. Preferably adhered to back layer 721 rearwardly
of the colorable element 715 and of the activation delay layer 717
but not rearwardly of transparent area 709 is a temperature
responsive coloring element 722, such as a pad, for example, K-R;
210/34/28, commercially available from Noam-Urim of Kibbutz Urim,
Israel, impregnated with a coloring agent, such as Sudan Black, a
black color dye [CAS: 4197-25-5], dissolved at a ratio of 1 gram
per 1 kg in a solution of 74.25% Coconut oil [CAS: 8001-31-8],
24.75% Oleic acid [CAS: 112-80-1] and 1% Hexanoic acid [CAS:
142-62-1]. 12 degrees. Also preferably adhered to the back layer
721 rearwardly of the colorable element 716 and of the activation
delay later 717 but not rearwardly of transparent area 710 and
preferably adjacent coloring element 722 is a temperature
responsive coloring element 723, such as a pad, for example, K-R;
210/34/28, commercially available from Noam-Urim of Kibbutz Urim,
Israel, impregnated with a coloring agent, such as Sudan Black, a
black color dye [CAS: 4197-25-5], dissolved at a ratio of 1 gram
per 1 kg in Coconut oil [CAS: 8001-31-8]. 21 degrees
Adjacent the coloring elements 722 and 723 or combined therewith is
a solvent 724, such as Methyl laurate [CAS #: 111-82-0] which, as
noted above, is operative to dissolve the dissolvable activation
delay layer 717, preferably after a predetermined period of time,
which is preferably measured in hours, such as eight hours. The
solvent 724 may be temperature-responsive.
Until such time as the pull strip 720 is removed, the quality
indicator 700 is nonresponsive to temperature changes.
Turning now to FIG. 7B, once the pull strip 720 is removed, the
solvent 724 begins to dissolve the dissolvable activation delay
layer 717. Prior to the dissolvable activation delay layer 717
becoming permeable to the coloring agents in the temperature
responsive coloring elements 722 and 723, the quality indicator 700
does not provide a readable indication responsive to temperature
changes and the portions of the black back layer 721 which are
visible through the transparent area 708 appear similar to the bars
of barcodes XIII and XIV in the respective visible states 704 and
705. The portion of the back layer 721 which is visible through the
part of the transparent area 708 forming part of barcode XIII
renders barcode XIII unreadable by a conventional barcode reader.
The portion of the back layer 721 which is visible through the part
of the transparent area 708 forming part of barcode XIV in the
visible state 705 can be read together therewith as a single
barcode in a visible state 730, typically readable by a barcode
reader as 7290003804122. Barcodes XV and XVI remain unreadable and
the indicator 700 in its second visible state presents a single
machine-readable barcode typically readable by a barcode reader as
7290003804122.
It is appreciated that the time needed to achieve dissolution of
dissolvable activation delay layer 717 may be determined for
example by the thickness thereof.
Turning now to FIG. 7C, once the dissolvable activation delay layer
717 becomes permeable to the coloring agents in the temperature
responsive coloring elements 722 and 723, typically after 8 hours,
the quality indicator 700 becomes responsive to temperature
changes. As long as the temperature at the quality indicator does
not reach a predetermined temperature for example 12 degrees
Celsius, for at least a predetermined cumulative amount of time for
example for thirty minutes, the quality indicator remains in the
second visible state.
Turning to FIG. 7D, after the dissolution of the activation delay
layer 717, when the temperature at the quality indicator exceeds 12
degrees Celsius, the coloring agent in the coloring element 722
begins to melt and be released from the coloring element 722 and
begins to diffuse through the colorable element 715.
It is appreciated that if the temperature thereafter drops below 12
degrees Celsius the coloring agent continues to diffuse through the
colorable element 715. If, after the temperature reaches 12 degrees
Celsius, the temperature drops below 7 degrees Celsius, the
coloring agent becomes solid and diffusion thereof through the
colorable element 715 is suspended until the temperature again
reaches 12 degrees Celsius.
It is appreciated that the elapsed time from the start of diffusion
of the coloring agent from the coloring elements 722 and 723 along
the respective colorable elements 715 and 716 until portions of the
colorable elements 715 and 716 which are visible through the
respective transparent areas 709 and 710 start to become colored is
defined for example by the lengths of the colorable elements 715
and 716 between the area in front of coloring elements 722 and 723
and the area underlying the transparent areas 709 and 710.
Additionally, this elapsed time is a function of the material from
which the colorable elements 715 and 716 are made and the thickness
thereof.
Accordingly, in the illustrated embodiment, the coloring elements
722 and 723 are positioned between the transparent areas 709 and
710 such that the elapsed time from the start of diffusion of the
coloring agents along the colorable elements 715 and 716 until
portions of the colorable elements 715 and 716 are visible through
the respective transparent areas 709 and 710 is thirty minutes.
As seen in FIG. 7E, when the temperature is at least 12 degrees
Celsius for at least a predetermined cumulative amount of time, for
example thirty minutes, the coloring agent diffuses through the
colorable element 715, such that the portions of the colorable
element 715 which are visible through the transparent area 709
become colored and appear similar to the bars of barcode XIV in the
visible state 730 and to the bars of barcode XV in the visible
state 706. The colored portion of the transparent area 709 which
forms part of barcode XIV, renders barcode XIV unreadable. The
colored portion of the transparent area 709 which forms part of
barcode XV in the visible state 706, can be read together therewith
as a single barcode in the visible state 731, which is typically
readable by a barcode reader as 7290003804115. Barcodes XIII and
XVI remain unreadable and the indicator 700 thus presents a single
machine-readable barcode typically readable by a barcode reader as
7290003804115.
It is appreciated that the portion of the transparent area 709
which forms part of barcode XIV may be wider than the portion of
the transparent area 709 which forms part of barcode XV.
Accordingly, if the temperature is at least 12 degrees Celsius for
an additional amount of time, the portion of the transparent area
709 which forms part of barcode XIV continues to be colored thereby
ensuring the unreadability of barcode XIV.
Turning to FIG. 7F, when the temperature at the quality indicator
exceeds 21 degrees Celsius, the coloring agent in the coloring
element 723 begins to melt and be released from the coloring
element 723 and begins to diffuse through the colorable element
716.
It is appreciated that if the temperature thereafter drops below 21
degrees Celsius the coloring agent continues to diffuse through the
colorable element 716. If, after the temperature reaches 21 degrees
Celsius, the temperature drops below 17 degrees Celsius, the
coloring agent becomes solid and diffusion thereof through the
colorable element 716 is suspended until the temperature again
reaches 21 degrees Celsius.
As seen in FIG. 7G, when the temperature is at least 21 degrees
Celsius for at least a predetermined cumulative amount of time,
such as thirty minutes, the coloring agent diffuses through the
colorable element 716, such that the portions of the colorable
element 716 which are visible through the transparent area 710
become colored and appear similar to the bars of barcode XV in the
visible state 731 and to the bars of barcode XVI in the visible
state 707. The colored portion of the transparent area 710, which
forms part of barcode XV, renders barcode XV unreadable. The
colored portion of the transparent area 709 which forms part of
barcode XVI in the visible state 707 can be read together therewith
as a single barcode in the visible state 732, which is typically
readable by a barcode reader as 7290003804139. Barcodes XIII and
XIV remain unreadable and the indicator 700 therefore presents a
single machine-readable barcode typically readable by a barcode
reader as 7290003804139
It is appreciated that the portion of the transparent area 710
which forms part of barcode XV may be wider than the portion of the
transparent area 710 which forms part of barcode XVI. Accordingly,
if the temperature is at least 21 degrees Celsius for an additional
amount of time, the portion of the transparent area 710 which forms
part of barcode XV continues to be colored thereby ensuring the
unreadability of barcode XV.
It is appreciated that instead of using a separate barcode for
indicating different events, one or more barcodes may each be used
for indicating multiple events. For example, if the addition of a
first barcode bar causes a barcode in a first machine-readable
state to assume an unreadable state and the addition of a second
barcode bar causes the same barcode in the unreadable state to
assume a second machine-readable state then the first
machine-readable state may be used for indicating one event and the
second machine-readable state may be used for indicating a
different event.
It is also appreciated that the background of the barcode defining
layer of the indicator may be printed in a dark color and the bars
of the barcode may be printed in a light color.
It is further appreciated that coloring of a colorable area forming
part of a barcode in a quality indicator may add or delete bars
relative to the barcode before coloring of the colorable area.
It is appreciated that an indicator may include one coloring
element which is located intermediate the ends of the barcodes
forming part of the indicator and the coloring agent therein moves
in more than one direction following melting thereof. It is also
appreciated that an indicator may include more than one coloring
element arranged such that the coloring agents in the separate
coloring elements move towards each other following melting
thereof. It is further appreciated that an indicator may include
more than one coloring element arranged such that the coloring
agents in the separate coloring elements melt and start moving in
response to exceedance of the same threshold.
It is appreciated that the melting of the coloring agent may be
caused by a change in ambient parameters other than temperature,
such as pH, humidity or the presence of certain chemicals, thereby
enabling the use of the indicators described in the present
invention for indicating exceedance of thresholds relating to such
parameters.
Reference is now made to FIG. 8, which illustrates the structure
and operation of a quality management system constructed and
operative in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present
invention in the context of a supermarket. In the embodiment of
FIG. 8, packaged products 800 each bear a barcoded quality
indicator 801 of the general type described hereinabove and
illustrated in FIGS. 1A-7G and including one or more of the
operational and structural features described hereinabove. As seen
in FIG. 8, cartons 802 including packages 800 bearing quality
indicators 801, bear barcoded quality indicators 803 of the general
type described hereinabove and illustrated in FIGS. 1A-7G and
including one or more of the operational and structural features
described hereinabove. Preferably, the barcoded quality indicators
803 are different from the barcoded quality indicators 801.
As described hereinabove with reference to FIGS. 1A and 2A, it is a
particular feature of the present invention that the time and
temperature thresholds of the quality indicators 801 and 803,
placed on the individual packages and the cartons containing them
respectively, are preferably related in order to provide highly
effective cold chain management.
In the illustrated embodiment, the quality indicators 801 and 803
preferably include an EAN (European Article Number) barcode
complying with GS1 standards, as detailed above with relation to
FIGS. 1A-1C. When read by a conventional-barcode reader 804 or by a
conventional checkout scanner 806, quality indicators 801 and 803
provide barcode reader readable indications of exceedance of one or
more thresholds of product quality affecting parameters, such as
temperature and/or elapsed time and/or a combination of elapsed
time and temperature to an indication interpreter which preferably
forms part of or is otherwise connected to a quality indication
computer 808. The quality indication computer 808 may be remote
from the indicator reader.
As indicated above with reference to FIGS. 1A-7G, the quality
indicator 801 preferably includes a first visible state, typically
readable by a barcode reader as 7290003804108, a second visible
state, typically readable by a barcode reader as 7290003804122, and
a third visible state, typically readable by a barcode reader as
7290003804115.
As indicated above with reference to FIGS. 1A-2C, the quality
indicator 803 preferably includes a first visible state, typically
readable by a barcode reader as 7290003804146, a second visible
state, typically readable by a barcode reader as 7290003804153, and
a third visible state, typically readable by a barcode reader as
7290003804160.
The quality indicators 801 and 803 may differ in that they have
different effective temperature and/or time thresholds and may also
indicate exceedance of different quality affecting parameters.
It is further seen in FIG. 8 that in addition to receiving the
output indications provided by the indicator reader the quality
indication computer 808 also receives product-related parameters
such as product type, manufacturing date and package type, as shown
in Table I. Additionally or alternatively, the quality indication
computer 808 may also receive other parameters, for example
information relating to the quality indicator, such as the range of
parameters sensed by the quality indicator, when the quality
indicator was actuated, and whether the quality indicator includes
a delayed activation feature.
In the illustrated embodiment, product identification information
is entered by scanning additional indicators 810 and 812,
including, for example, a UPC code, which are attached to packages
800 and to cartons 802, respectively. Alternatively, the
product-related parameters and the other parameters, such as those
relating to the quality indicator may be provided by the quality
indicators 801 and 803 themselves. As a further alternative, these
parameters may be provided by sensors, a priori information
otherwise available to the indication interpreter or by manual
entry.
TABLE-US-00001 TABLE I PRODUCT PRODUCT MANUFACTURING PACKAGE CODE
DESCRIPTION DATE TYPE 6789 FRESH RIB 8 MAY 2008 INDIVIDUAL
STEAK
As seen in the illustrated embodiment, the quality indication
computer 808 maintains a database which preferably includes at
least an event description table, such as Table II, and a product
status table, such as Table III.
TABLE-US-00002 TABLE II EVENT INDICATOR BARCODE IDENTIFIER EVENT
DESCRIPTION 7290003804108 801 INDICATOR WAS NOT ACTUATED
7290003804146 803 INDICATOR WAS NOT ACTUATED 7290003804122 801
INDICATOR WAS NOT EXPOSED TO .gtoreq. 21 DEGREES CELSIUS FOR
.gtoreq. TEN MINUTES 7290003804153 803 INDICATOR WAS NOT EXPOSED TO
.gtoreq. 12 DEGREES CELSIUS FOR .gtoreq. ONE HOUR 7290003804115 801
INDICATOR WAS EXPOSED TO .gtoreq. 21 DEGREES CELSIUS FOR .gtoreq.
TEN MINUTES 7290003804160 803 INDICATOR WAS EXPOSED TO .gtoreq. 12
DEGREES CELSIUS FOR .gtoreq. ONE HOUR
Upon receipt of inputs identifying a product as shown in Table I
and output indications provided by a quality indicator reader
indicating an event described in Table II corresponding to the same
product the quality indication computer 808 is operative to provide
product quality status outputs. In order to provide product quality
status outputs the quality indication computer 808 is operative to
employ a product status table, such as Table III, typically
including product description data such as product description,
package type and indicator identifier, an event barcode and a
product status as follows:
TABLE-US-00003 TABLE III PRODUCT EVENT PRODUCT INDICATOR PRODUCT
CODE BARCODE DESCR. PACKAGE IDENTIFIER STATUS 6789 7290003804122
FRESH INDIVIDUAL 801 OK RIB STEAK 6789 7290003804115 FRESH
INDIVIDUAL 801 BAD RIB STEAK 5689 7290003804160 FRESH CARTON 803
BAD RIB STEAK 4321 7290003804115 ORANGES INDIVIDUAL 801 QUICK
SALE
As seen in the second and the third rows of Table III, time and
temperature thresholds of indicators 801 and 803, placed on the
individual packages 800 of a fresh rib steak and the cartons 802
containing them respectively, are preferably related and calibrated
with respect to each other based, inter alia, on empirical data.
This feature allows for the evaluation of quality of individually
packaged products even when it is not possible to open the cartons
and examine individual packages, such as for example, during
transport.
As further seen in Table III, there may be a great variation in the
effect of a given event depending on the type of product. Thus, for
example, exposure to 21 degrees Celsius for a short period of time
may cause fresh meat to be rendered unfit for sale but may only
mildly affect the quality or oranges.
In accordance with an additional feature of the present invention,
the barcode may be read by a consumer employing an imager-equipped
telephone or other suitable mobile communicator 815 which may be
identical to mobile communicator 128 in FIG. 1C or 228 in FIG. 2C.
The communicator 815 may image the quality indicators 801 or 803
and communicate the image information to a suitably programmed
quality indication computer 817, which may be identical to computer
130 in FIG. 1C or 230 in FIG. 2C, and to the computer 808, and
which is capable of reading the barcode from the image information.
The quality indication computer 817 provides to the user, via SMS
or any other suitable communication methodology, an immediate
indication of a quality status, such as a GOOD QUALITY indication
820. This quality status indicates that the product is safe for
use. Alternatively, if the user employs a barcode reader-equipped
communicator, the communicator can provide to the quality
indication computer 817 an output resulting from reading the
barcode. Additionally or alternatively, the quality indication
computer 817 may provide coupons to the user corresponding to the
state of the quality indicator.
Based on the scanned barcode and identification of the caller, the
quality indication computer 817 provides product status information
both to quality assurance inspectors and to consumers. Additionally
or alternatively, the quality indication computer 817 may send
messages to the supermarket management regarding remedial steps to
be taken, such as refrigeration maintenance instructions.
It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the
present invention is not limited by what has been particularly
shown and described hereinabove. Rather the scope of the present
invention includes both combinations and sub-combinations of
various features of the invention and modifications thereof which
may occur to persons skilled in the art upon reading the foregoing
description and which are not in the prior art.
* * * * *
References